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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

RIVERSIDE 

GIFT  OF 
E.A.  Roberts 


JOHN   MILTON. 


THE 


POETICAL    "WORKS 

OF 

JOHN    MILTOK 

REPRINTED   FROM    TEE    BEST   EDITIONS 

WITH   BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICE,  Etc. 


BOSTON: 

D.     LOTHROP     &     CO., 
1883. 


CONTENTS. 


PAQB. 

Skxtch  of  the  Life  of  Joun  Milton 5 

Pakadisk  Lost — 

I ......      15 

II 36 

HI G3 

IV. 83 

V. 110 

VI. m 

VII 158 

VIII 175 

IX 192 

'^M        .«..•.••••.•  228 

XI 252 

XII 276 

Paeadise  Regainei>— 

1 292 

11 306 

III 319 

IV 331 

Samson  Agonistes ...  348 

Poems  on  Skvebal  Occasions— 

I.    Anno  ^tatis  XVII 400 

n.    Anno  ^tatis  XIX 402 

III.  Ou  the  Morning  of  Christ's  Nativity       ....  405 

IV.  The  Passion i        .        .  412 

V.     On  Time .414 

VI.    Upon  the  Circumeision 415 

VII.    At  a  Solemn  Music 416 

VIII.    An  Epitaph  on  the  Marchioness  of  Winchester        .        .  416 


fi 


CONTENTS. 


PAoa 

IX.    Song  on  May  Morning 418 

X.  On  Shakspeare,  1630 419 

XI.  On  the  University  Carrier       .        .        .       .       .        .  419 

XII.  Another  on  tl>e  same 420 

XIII.  L' Allegro 421 

XIV.  IlPenseroso 425 

XV.  Arcades 429 

CoMOB ...  433 

Poems  on  Several  Occasions — 

XVII.    Lycidas 464 

XVIII.    The  Fifth  Ode  of  Horace,  Lib.  1 469 

XIX.    Ou  the  New  Forcers  of  Conscience  Under  the  Long  Parlia- 
ment      470 

Sonnets — 

L    To  the  Nightingale 471 

II.    Donna  leggiadra,  &c.        .        ......  471 

m.    Qual  in  coUe  aspro,  &c 472 

IV.    Diodati,  &c 473 

V.    Per  certo  i  bei,  &c 473 

VI.    Giovaue  piano,   &c. 473 

VII.    On  his  being  arrived  at  the  Age  of  Twenty-three        .        .  474 

Vni.     When  the  Assault  was  intended  to  the  City    ...  474 

IX.    To  a  Virtuous  Young  Lady 475 

X.    To  the  Lady  Margaret  Ley 475 

XI.  On  the  Detraction  which  followed  upon  my  Writing  certain 

Treatises 476 

Xn.    On  the  Same 476 

XIII.  To  Mr.  H.  Lawes  on  his  Airs 477 

XIV.  On  the  Religious  Memory  of  Mrs.  Catherine  Tliomson,  my 

Christian  Friend 477 

XV.    To  the  Lord  General  Fairfax 478 

XVI.  To  the  Lord  General  Cromwell        .....  478 
XVn.    To  Sir  Henry  Vano  the  Younger 47^ 

XVIIL    On  the  late  Massacre  in  Piemont    ...'..  479 

XIX.     On  his  Blindness 480 

XX.    To  Mr.  Lawrence 480 

XXL    To  Cyriac  Skinner 481 

XXII.    To  the  Same 481 

XXIII.    On  his  Deceased  "Wife 482 

Psalms -       •  *^ 


CONTENTS.  iil 

PAQE. 

LATIN  POEMS. 

poemata ...  ws 

Elegiartjm  Liber — 

L    Ad  Carolum  Deodatum 513 

ir.    In  Obitiim  Pr^econis  Acadcmici  Cautabrigiensis         .        •  515 

III.  lu  Obitum  Prsesulis  Wiutouiensis 516 

IV.  Ad  Tliomam  Jiinium 518 

V.    lu  Adventum  Veris 521 

VI.    Ad  Carolum  Deodatum 525 

VII.    Auuo  ^tatis  19 527 

Epigkammatcm  Liber— 

In  Proditionem  Borabardicam 531 

In  Eandem ^^^ 

In  Eandem ^2' 

In  Eandem ^^2 

In  Inventorem  Bombardse 532 

Ad  Leonoram  Romse  Canentem 532 

Ad  Eandem ^^'-^ 

Ad  Eandem ^3*^ 

Apologus  de  Rustico  et  Hero 533 

Sylvarum  Liber — 

In  Obitum  Procancellarii  Medici 531 

In  Quintum  Novembris 535 

In  Obitum  Prsesulis  Eliensis        ,...*.•  541 

Naturam  non  pati  Senium *        •        •  54.) 

De  Idea  Platonica  quemadmodum  Aristoteles  lutellexit       .  545 

Ad  Patrem ^^'' 

Ad  Salsillum ....  51!) 

Manns      .        .        , 5.W 

Epitaphium  Dampnia ^''■' 

Ad  Joannem  Epusium ^' 

Ad  Christin^im  suecorum  regiuara  nomine  Cromwelli     .       •  Cti'^ 


SKETCH 


OP  THE 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   MILTON. 


JoHK  Milton,  the  most  distinguished  of  English  poets,  and  one 
whose  exertions  in  the  cause  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  must  ever  en- 
title him  to  the  grateful  regards  of  his  countrymen,  was  horn  in  Breda 
Street,  December  ft,  1608,  and  received  his  early  education  at  St.  Paul's 
School.  Young  Milton  was  removed  at  the  age  of  seventeen  to  Clirist's 
College,  Cambridge,  and  soon  distinguished  himself  by  the  purity  and 
elegance  of  his  Latin  compositions  as  well  as  for  his  general  classical  at- 
tainments. 

On  leaving  college  he  repaired  to  his  father's  residence  in  Bucking- 
hamshire, where  he  spent  five  years  in  the  most  diligent  study  of  the 
Greek  and  Latin  classics;  and  during  this  interval  he  appears  to  have 
produced  both  his  exquisite  "Masque  of  Comus,"  which  is  stated  in  the 
title  to  have  been  performed  at  Ludlow  Castle,  in  1G34,  before  the  Earl 
of  Bridgewater,  and  some  of  the  principal  of  lus  minor  poems,  of  which 
■we  may  especially  notice  his  "  Lycidas,"  the  character  of  which  is  pas- 
toral. 

In  1638,  Milton  left  England  for  the  purpose  of  completing  liis  educa- 
tion by  foreign  travel;  and  visited  in  succession  Paris,  Nice,  Genoa, 
Pisa,  Florence,  Rome,  and  Naples.  Honors  from  both  tlie  learned  and 
the  great  waited  upon  the  accomplislied  Englishman  wherever  lie  ap- 
peared. The  state  of  his  native  country,  however,  worn  by  dissensions, 
and  manifestly  on  the  eve  of  a  great  convulsion,  appealed  too  strongly  to 
bis  patriotic  ardor  to  suffer  him  to  protract  his  stay  abroad ;  and  return- 
ing by  the  way  of  Geneva,  he  again  reached  home  after  an  absence  of  about 
fifteen  months.  He  did  not  now  resume  his  residence  witli  liis  father. 
He  probably  considered  that  for  the  unsettled  times  wliich  were  appar- 
ently at  hand  the  fit  preparation,  which  it  behoved  every  man  to  make, 
was  the  adojition  of  some  way  of  earning  his  bread  by  his  own  indepen- 
dent exertions;  and  hiring  a  house  in  St.  Bride's  church-yard,  lie  opened 
a  seminary  for  the  instruction  of  youth  in  the  classic  languages.  Tlie 
school  turning  out  very  successful,  he  shortly  afterwards  removed  to  a 
house  in  Aldersgate  Street,  and  in  16il  he  published  a  treatise  in  favor 
of  the  Puritans. 

In  1673,  Milton  married  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Powell,  of  Forrest  Hill, 
Oxfordshire,  a  firm  Royalist.    This  marriage,  in  its  early  stage,  seemed 


6  LIFE    OF    JOHN   MILTON. 

very  inauspicious;  for,  either  influenced  by  family  considerations,  oi 
from  want  of  congeniality  in  sentiments  and  feelings,  they  liad  only 
been  married  a  month  when  his  wife  deserted  him,  and  returned  to  her 
friends.  She  made  no  reply  to  the  repeated  letters  and  remonstrances 
of  her  husband;  which  so  incensed  him,  that  he  formed  the  resolution 
to  receive  her  no  more;  and  to  justify  this  resolution,  he  published  sev- 
eral pieces  on  the  subject  of  divorce.  He  even  proceeded  so  far  as  to 
pay  his  addresses  to  a  young  lady  with  the  design  of  marrying  her. 
Whilst  this  marriage  was  negotiating  he  was  surprised  by  a  visit  from 
liis  wife,  who  implored  pardon  and  reconciliation  on  her  knees.  This 
awakened  his  tenderest  affection,  aud  he  received  her  with  kindness  to 
his  bosom. 

Milton's  political  spirit  agreeing  with  the  republican  spirit  of  these 
times,  he  strongly  supported  the  cause  of  the  Commcmwealth  and  the 
destruction  of  Iciugly  government  by  several  publicatious  on  the  subject. 

In  1645  he  published  a  collection  of  Latin  and  English  poems.  Soon 
after  the  death  of  the  King  he  was  advanced  by  Cromwell  to  the  station 
of  Latin  secretary  to  himself  and  the  parliament;  and  he  continued  to 
hold  the  latter  office  till  the  restoration  of  Charles  II.  In  1649,  Salma- 
sius,  a  professor  of  polite  learning  at  Leyden,  and  a  man  of  extraordinary 
literary  attainments,  produced  his  "Defensio  Regis,"  to  which  Milton 
replied  in  so  forcible  a  manner  that  it  became  difficult  to  determine 
whose  language  was  best.  After  this  Milton  resided  for  some  time  with 
his  family  in  Whitehall;  but  his  ill  health  obliged  him  to  take  lodgings 
in  the  neighborhood  of  St.  James's  Park;  where  his  wife  died,  leaving 
him  three  daughters.  This  painful  occurrence  was  soon  succeeded  by 
another  still  more  distressing — his  own  deprivation  of  sight.  In  these 
melancholy  circumstances  he  directed  his  attention  to  another  object, 
and  was  married  to  the  daughter  of  a  Captain  Woodcock,  of  Hackney. 
She  died  within  a  year,  from  the  same  cause  as  the  former  wife.  Milton 
has  honored  her  memory  in  his  eighteenth  sonnet. 

On  the  King's  restoration,  he  found  it  necessary  to  conceal  himself 
till  the  storm  against  him  was  blown  over,  and  the  interest  of  his  friends 
had  got  him  included  in  the  general  amnesty.  lie  now  retired  from  the 
busy  scenes  of  the  world,  and  devoted  himself  to  the  completion  of  his 
grand  poem.  For,  although  his  circumstances  had  suffered  by  the  Res- 
toration, his  independent  spirit  refused  to  accept  any  public  employ- 
ment, and  he  lived  in  the  greatest  simplicity  in  the  neighborhood  of  Bun- 
hill  Fields,  where  we  are  told  he  used  to  sit  in  a  gray  coarse  cloth  coat  at 
the  door  in  the  summer,  to  enjoy  the  fresh  air  and  receive  the  visits  of 
persons  of  distinguished  rank  and  learning. 

He  had  now  reached  his  forty-seventh  year;  and  being  free  from  ex- 
teriuil  interruptions,  applied  himself  to  the  consideration  of  three  works 
which  had  long  been  reserved  for  future  exertion — an  epic  poem,  the 
history  of  his  country,  and  a  dictionary  of  the  Lm tin  tongue.  Impracti- 
cable as  the  labor  of  collecting  a  dictionary  seems  to  be  to  a  man  in  a 
state  of  blindness,  we  are  told  that  he  prosecuted  that  design  almost  to 
his  dying  day;  the  compilers  of  the  "  Cambridge  Dictionary,"  iiulitislied 
in  1693,  availed  themselves  of  three  folios  he  left  behind.  His  historical 
narrative  did  not  iiroceed  beyond  the  conquest,  from  the  difficulty,  it  is 
probable,  of  consulting  a  variety  of  iiuthorities  with  tlu;  helij  <)f  other 
eyes.  For  the  subject  of  his  epic  poem,  after  much  delihcratioiv,  lie  de- 
termined upon  "Paradise  Lost" — a  project  which  could  only  be  justi- 
fied by  the  success  that  attended  it.  We  have  already  seen  that  at  the 
Restoration  Milton  concealed  hiuiself  in  Bartholomew  Close,  where  he  re- 
mained till  the  passing  an  act  of  oblivion,  which  secured  his  person  aud 


lilPE   OF   JOaN    MILTON".  7 

property  in  common  with  others ;  the  reason  of  his  being  treated  with 
gdcn  indulgence  cannot  be  satisfactorily  ascertained.  Al)out  this  time 
he  removed  to  Jewin  Street,  and  married  a  third  wife,  who  contributed 
very  little  to  his  domestic  comfort — she  oppressed  his  children  in  liis  life- 
time, and  defrauded  them  at  his  death.  From  Jewin  Street  ho  went  to 
reside  in  the  Artillery  Walk,  near  Buuhill  Fields,  which  concludes  the 
register  of  his  London  residences. 

While  he  continued  to  divide  his  time  between  State  affairs  and  his 
private  studies,  it  was  hardly  possible  for  him  to  accomplish  any  literary 
undertaking  of  great  importance;  but  on  quitting  the  ofliee  of  Latin  sec- 
retary, he  was  left  to  the  free  exercise  of  his  mental  energies,  which  could 
not  be  employed  upon  a  subject  better  suited  to  the  extensive  range  they 
were  accustomed  to  take  than  that  he  had  chosen.  The  "Paradise 
Lost "  is  said  to  have  been  written  at  different  times,  and  was  sold  on 
the  27th  of  April,  UKiT,  to  Samuel  Simmons,  for  an  immediate  payment 
of  5^. ;  with  a  further  agreement  for  the  same  sum  when  1500  copies  of 
the  first  edition  should  be  disposed  of;  and  again  51.  when  the  same 
number  should  be  sold  of  the  second  edition;  and  another  5^.  after  a 
similar  sale  of  the  third.  All  the  editions  were  limited  to  1500  copies. 
The  third  edition  was  published  in  1G78,  and  the  widow  to  whom  the 
copy  then  devolved  sold  all  her  claims  to  Simmons  for  8/. ;  Avhence  it 
will  appear  that  the  sum  of  281.  constituted  the  entire  remuneration  for 
a  performance  which,  while  it  immortalized  the  name  of  the  poet,  con- 
ferred an  honor  equally  imperishable  upon  the  nation  signalized  for  his 
birth.  While  he  was  thus  engaged,  he  was  materially  assisted  by  his 
two  daughters,  who  wrote  to  his  dictation  for  many  hours  each  day. 

Four  years  after  his  "  Paradise  Lost,"  he  published  his  "  Paradise 
Regained,"  which  was  his  favorite  production — a  preference  which  has 
ever  been  opposed  to  the  opinion  of  the  public.  In  the  last  year  of  his 
life  he  printed  a  collection  of  "Familiar  Epistles  "in  Latin:  to  these 
(being  too  few  to  form  a  volume,  he  added  some  academical  exercises. 

In  his  last  retreat,  he  produced  his  "  Samson  Agouistes,"  a  tragedy 
written  on  the  Greek  model.  A  life  of  indefatigable  study,  and  which 
had  been  exposed  to  a  variety  of  vicissitudes,  now  began  to  draw  to  a 
close.  Milton  had  long  been  afflicted  with  tlie  gout  and  other  infirmi- 
ties, and  he  died  without  a  struggle  on  the  10th  of  November,  1(J74,  in 
the  sixty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  tlis  person  was  so  delicate  and  beauti- 
ful in  his  youth,  that  at  Cambridge  he  went  by  the  ajjpellation  of  "  the 
Lady  of  Christ's  College;  "  and  in  Italy  the  celebrated  Giovaimi  Baptists 
Manso,  who  had  conferred  considerable  favors  on  him,  gives  a  high 
Idea  of  his  beauty  in  a  Latin  epigram  which  has  been  tlius  translated : — 

"  So  perfect  thou  in  mind,  in  form,  and  face, 
Thou'rt  not  of  English,  but  angelic  race." 

Campbell,  the  poet,  a  critic  in  every  shape  qualified  to  form  an  accu- 
rate opinion  of  the  merits  of  Milton  in  regard  to  his  powers  of  versifica- 
tion, furnislies  the  following  remarJcs  on  the  universality  of  his  genius: — 
"  In  Milton,"  he  says,  "  there  may  be  traced  obligations"  to  several  minor 
English  poets;  but  his  genius  had  too  great  a  supremacy  to  belong  to 
any  school.  Though  he  acknowledged  a  filial  reverence  for  Spencer  as 
a  poet,  he  left  no  Gothic  irregular  tracery  in  the  design  of  his  own  great 
work,  but  gave  a  classical  harmony  of  parts  to  its  stupendous  pile.  It 
thus  resembles  a  dome,  the  vastness  of  which  is  at  first  sight  concealed 
by  its  symmetry,  but  which  expands  more  and  more  to  the  eye  while  it 
ifl  contemplated.    His  early  poetry  seems  to  have  neither  disturbed  nor 


8  LIFE    OF   JOHN    MILTON. 

corrected  the  bad  taste  of  his  age.  '  Comus  '  came  into  the  world  unac- 
kuowledged  by  its  author,  and  '  Lycidas  '  appeared  at  first  only  with  his 
initials.  These  and  other  exquisite  pieces,  composed  in  the  happiest 
years  of  his  life  at  his  father's  country  house  at  Horton,  were  collectively 
published  with  his  name  affixed  to  them,  in  1045;  but  that  precious  vol- 
ume which  included  '  L' Allegro  '  and  '  II  Penseroso,'  did  not,  I  believe, 
come  to  a  second  edition  till  it  was  republished  by  himself  at  the  dis- 
tance of  twenty-eight  years.  Almost  a  century  elapsed  before  his  minor 
works  obtained  their  proper  fame. 

"  Even  when  '  Paradise  Lost'  appeared,  though  it  was  not  neglected, 
it  attracted  no  crowd  of  imitators,  and  made  no  visible  change  in  the 
poetical  practice  of  the  age.  He  stood  alone  and  aloof,  above  liis  times, 
the  bard  of  immortal  subjects,  and,  as  far  as  there  is  perpetuity  in  lan- 
guage, of  immortal  fame.  The  very  choice  of  those  subjects  bespoke  a 
contempt  for  any  species  of  excellence  that  was  attainable  by  other  men. 
"There  is  something  that  overawes  the  mind  in  conceiving  his  long  delib- 
erated selection  of  that  theme,  his  attempting  it  when  his  eyes  were  shut 
upon  the  face  of  nature,  his  dependence,  we  might  almost  say,  ou  super- 
natural inspiration,  and  in  the  calm  air  of  strength  with  which  he  opens 
'  Paradise  Lost,'  beginning  a  mighty  performance  without  the  appearance 
of  an  effort. 

"  The  warlike  part  of  '  Paradise  Lost '  was  inseparable  from  its  sub- 
ject. Whether  it  could  have  been  differeutl.y  managed  is  a  problem 
which  our  reverence  for  Milton  will  scarcely  permit  us  to  state.  I  feel 
that  reverence  too  strongly  to  suggest  even  the  possibility  that  Milton 
could  have  improved  his  poem  by  having  thrown  his  angelic  warfare  into 
more  remote  [lerspective;  but  it  seems  to  me  to  be  most  sublime  when 
it  is  least  distinctly  brouglit  home  to  the  imagination.  What  an  awful 
effect  has  the  dim  and  undefined  conception  of  the  conflict  which  we 
gather  from  the  opening  of  the  first  book !  There  the  veil  of  mystery  is 
left  undrawn  between  us  and  a  subject  which  the  powers  of  description 
were  iuadequate  to  exhibit.  The  miui.sters  of  divine  vengeance  and  pur- 
suit had  been  recalled — the  thunders  had  ceased 

'  To  bellow  through  the  vast  and  boundless  deep,' 

(in  that  line  what  an  image  of  sound  and  space  is  conveyed!)— and  our 
terrific  cenception  of  the  past  is  deepened  by  its  indistinctness.  In  optics 
there  are  some  phenomena  which  are  beautifully  deceptive  at  a  certain 
distance,  but  which  lose  their  illusive  charm  ou  the  slightest  approach 
to  them  that  changes  the  light  and  position  in  which  they  are  viewed. 
Something  like  this  takes  place  in  the  phenomena  of  fancy.  The  array 
of  the  fallen  angels  in  hell,  the  unfurling  of  the  staudard'of  Satan,  and 
the  march  of  his  troops 

'  In  perfect  phalanx,  the  Dorian  mood 
Of  flutes  and  soft  recorders.'— 

All  this  human  pomp  and  circumstance  of  war  is  magic  and  overwhelm- 
ing illusion.  The  imagination  is  taken  by  surprise.  But  the  noblest 
efforts  of  language  are  tried  with  very  unequal  effect  to  interest  us  in 
the  immediate  and  close  view  of  the  battle  itself  in  the  sixth  book;  and 
the  martial  demons,  who  charmed  us  in  the  shades  of  hell,  lose  some 
portion  of  their  sublimity  when  their  artillery  is  discharged  iu  the  day- 
light of  lieaven. 

"  If  we  call  diction  the  garb  of  thought,  Milton  iu  his  style  may  be 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    MILTON.  9 

eald  to  wear  the  costume  of  sovereignty.  The  Idioms  even  of  foreign 
languaiies  contributed  to  adorn  it.  He  was  the  most  learned  of  poets; 
yet  lii.s  learnin,?  interferes  not  with  his  suh.stantial  English  purity.  His 
Bimi)licity  is  uniniiKiired  by  glowing  oraameut,  like  the  bush  in  the  sacred 
flame,  wuicli  burnt  but  '  was  not  consumed.' 

"  In  delineating  the  blessed  spirits,  Milton  has  exhausted  all  the  con- 
ceivable variety  that  could  be  given  to  pictures  of  un.shaded  sanctity: 
but  it  is  chiefly  in  those  of  the  fallen  angels  tlint  his  excellence  is  consi:)ic- 
uous  above  everything  ancient  or  modern.  Tasso  had  indeed  pourtrayed 
an  infernal  council,  and  had  given  the  hint  to  our  poet  of  ascribing  "the 
origin  of  pagan  worship  to  those  reprobate  spirits.  But  how  poor  and 
squalid  in  comparison  with  the  Miltonic  Pandai'monium  are  the  Syllas, 
the  Cyclopses,  and  the  Chimeras  of  the  Infernal  Council  of  the  Jerusa- 
lem! Tasso's  conclave  of  fiends  is  a  den  of  ugly,  incongruous  monsters. 
The  powers  of  Milton's  hell  are  god-like  shapes  and  forms.  Their  ap- 
pearance dwarfs  every  other  poetical  conception,  when  we  turn  our 
dilated  eyes  from  contemplating  them.  It  is  not  their  external  attributes 
alone  which  exjiand  the  imagination,  but  their  souls,  which  are  as  culos- 
sal  as  their  stature — their  '  thoughts  that  wander  through  eternity  ' — the 
pride  that  burns  amidst  the  ruins  of  their  divine  natures,  and  their 
genius  that  feels  with  the  ardor  and  debates  with  the  eloquence  of 
heaven." 

But  the  proudest  monument  that  has  been  reared  to  the  genius  of 
Milton  is  the  "Essay"  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  Channing.  It  breathes  a 
Bpirit  of  poetry  nearly  akin  to  that  with  which  that  great  poet  was  him- 
self imbued,  and  furnishes  the  most  masterly  view  of  his  genius  that 
has  yet  appeared 

In  speaking  of  the  intellectual  qualities  of  Milton.  Dr.  Channing  says: 
"We  may  begin  with  observing,  that  the  very  splendour  of  his  poetic 
fame  has  tended  to  obscure  or  conceal  the  extent  of  his  mind,  and  the 
variety  of  its  energies  and  attainments.  To  many  he  seems  only  a  poet, 
when  in  truth  he  was  a  profound  scholar,  a  man  of  va.st  compass  of 
thought,  imbued  thoroughly  with  all  ancient  and  modern  learning;  and 
able  to  master,  to  mould,  to  impregnate  with  his  own  intellectual  jiower, 
his  great  and  various  acquisitions.  He  had  not  learned  the  superficial 
doctrine  of  a  later  day — that  poetry  flourishes  most  in  an  uncultivated 
Boil,  and  that  imagination  shapes  its  brightest  visions  from  the  mists  of 
a  superstitious  age;  and  he  had  no  dread  of  accumulating  knowledge, 
lest  it  should  oppress  and  smother  his  genius.  He  was  conscious  of  that 
•within  him  which  could  quicken  all  knowledge  aud  wield  it  with  ease 
and  might;  whicli  could  give  freshness  to  old  truths,  and  harmony  to 
discordant  thoughts;  which  could  bind  together,  by  living  ties  and  mys- 
terious aflinities,  the  most  remote  discoveries:  and  rear  fabrics  of  glory 
and  beauty  from  the  rude  materials  which  other  minds  had  collpcled. 
Milton  had  that  universality  which  marks  tlie  highest  order  of  intellect. 
Though  accustomed  almost  from  infancy  to  drink  at  the  fountains  of 
classical  literature,  he  had  nothing  of  the  jjedantry  and  fa.^t:dii)u.snes8 
which  disdain  all  other  draughts.  His  healthy  mind  delighted  iu  genius, 
on  whatever  soil,  or  in  whatever  age  it  bur.st  fortli  and  iiouicd  out  its 
fuhiess.  He  understood  too  well  the  rights,  and  dignity,  and  pride  of 
creative  imagination,  to  lay  on  it  the  laws  of  the  Greek  or  Eonian  school. 
Parnassus  was  not  to  him  the  only  holy  ground  of  genius.  He  felt  tli.it 
poetry  was  a  universal  presence.  Great  minds  were  eveiywhere  hi? 
kindred.  He  felt  the  enchantment  of  Orienta'  fiction,  surrendered 
himself  to  the  strange  creations  of  '  Araby  tlie  Blest,'  and  deliglitol  rH!l 
TQoreinthe  romantic  spirit  of  chivalry,  and  iu  the  tales  of  wonder  In 


10  LIFE   OF   JOHN    MILTON. 

which  it  was  embodied.  Accordingly  his  poetry  reminds  us  of  the  ocean, 
which  adds  to  its  own  boundlessness  contributions  from  all  regions  un- 
der heaven.  Nor  was  it  only  in  the  department  of  imagination  that  his 
acquisitions  were  vast.  He  travelled  over  tlie  whole  field  of  knowl- 
edge as  far  as  it  had  then  been  explored.  His  various  philological  at- 
tainments were  used  to  put  him  in  possession  of  the  wisdom  stored  in  all 
countries  where  the  intellect  had  been  cultivated.  The  natural  philoso- 
phy, metaphysics,  ethics,  history,  theology,  and  political  science  of  his 
own  and  former  times,  were  familiar  to  him.  Never  was  there  a  more 
uncoufined  mind,  and  we  would  cite  Milton  as  a  practical  example  of 
the  benefits  of  that  universal  culture  of  intellect  which  forms  one  dis- 
tinction of  our  times,  but  which  some  dread  as  unfriendly  to  original 
thought.  Let  such  remember  that  mind  is  in  its  own  nature  diffusive. 
Its  object  is  flie  universe,  which  is  strictly  one,  or  bound  together  by  in- 
finite connections  and  correspondences;  and  accordingly  its  natural  pro- 
gress is  from  one  to  another  field  of  thought;  and  wherever  original 
power  and  creative  genius  exists,  the  mind,  far  from  being  distracted  or 
oppressed  by  the  variety  of  its  acquisitions,  will  see  more  and  more  com- 
mon bearings  and  hidden  and  beautiful  analogies  in  all  the  objects  of 
knowledge, — will  see  mutual  light  shed  from  truth  to  truth,  and  will 
compel,  as  with  a  kingly  power,  whatever  it  understands,  to  yield  some 
tribute  of  proof,  or  illustration,  or  splendour,  to  whatever  topic  it  should 
unfold. 

"  Milton's  fame  rests  chiefly  on  his  poetry,  and  to  this  we  naturally 
give  our  first  attention.  By  those  Mho  are  accustomed  to  speak  of  poetry 
as  light  reading,  Milton's  eminence  in  this  sphere  may  be  considered  only 
as  giving  him  a  high  rank  among  the  contributors  to  public  amusement. 
Not  so  thought  Milton.  Of  all  God's  gifts  of  intellect,  he  esteemed 
poetical  genius  the  most  transcendent.  He  esteemed  it  in  himself  as  a 
kind  of  inspiration,  and  wrote  his  great  works  with  something  of  the  con- 
scious dignity  of  a  prophet.  We  agree  with  Milton  in  his  estimate  of 
poetry,  it  seems  to  us  the  divinest  of  all  arts;  or  it  is  the  breathing  or 
expression  of  that  principle  or  sentiment  which  is  the  deepest  and  sub- 
limest  in  human  nature;  we  mean  of  that  thirst  or  aspiration  to  which 
no  mind  is  wholly  a  stranger,  for  something  purer  and  lovelier,  some- 
thing more  powerful,  lofty,  and  thrilling,  than  ordinary  and  real  life  af- 
fords. No  doctrine  is  more  common  among  Christians  than  that  of  man's 
immortality;  but  it  is  not  so  generally  understood  that  the  germs  orjirin- 
ciples  of  liis  whole  future  being  are  now  wrapped  up  in  his  soul  as  tlie 
rudiments  of  the  future  plant  in  the  seed.  As  a  necessary  result  of  this 
constitution,  the  soul,  possessed  and  moved  by  these  mighty  though  in- 
fant energies,  is  perpetually  stretching  beyond  what  is  present  and  vis- 
ible, struggling  against  the  bounds  of  its  earthly  i)ns(in-house,  and  seek- 
ing reliefand  joy  in  imagination  of  unseen  and  ideal  being.  This  view 
of  our  nature,  wh.ich  has  never  been  fully  dcvelojied,  and  which  goes 
further  towards  explaining  the  contradictions  of  human  life  than  all 
others,  carries  us  to  the  very  foundation  and  sources  of  poetry.  He  who 
cannot  interpret,  by  his  own  consciousness,  what  we  now  have  said, 
wants  the  true  key  to  works  of  genius.  He  has  not  penetrated  those  sa- 
cred recesses  of  the  soul,  where  jwctry  is  born  and  nourished,  and  in- 
hales immortal  vigor,  and  wings  herself  for  her  heavenward  flight.  In 
an  intellectual  nature  framed  for  progress  and  for  higher  modes  of  being, 
there  must  be  creative  energies,  powers  of  original  and  ever-growing 
thought;  and  jioetry  is  the  form  in  which  these  energies  are  chiefly  man- 
ifested. It  is  the  glorious  prerogative  of  this  art,  that  it '  makesall  things 
new  '  for  the  gratification  of  a  divine  instinct.    It  indeed  finds  its  ele- 


LIFK    OF   JOHiV    MILTON. 


11 


ments  in  what  it  actually  gees  and  experiences  in  the  world  of  matter  and 
mind,  but  it  combines  and  blends  these  into  new  forms  and  according  to 
new  affinities;  breaks  down,  if  we  may  so  say,  the  distinctions  and 
bonnds  of  nature;  imparts  to  material  objects  life,  and  sentiment,  and 
emotion,  and  invests  the  mind  with  the  powers  and  splendours  of  the  out- 
ward creation;  describes  the  surrounding  universe  in  the  colours  which 
the  passions  throws  over  it,  and  depicts  the  mind  in  those  modes  of  re- 
pose or  agitation,  of  tenderness  or  sublime  emotion,  which  manifest  its 
thirst  for  a  more  powerful  and  joyful  existence.  To  a  man  of  a  literal 
and  prosaic  character,  the  mind 'may  seem  lawless  in  these  workings; 
but  it  observes  higher  laws  than  it  transgresses,  the  laws  of  the  immortal 
intellect;  it  is  trying  and  developing  its  best  faculties;  and  in  the  objects 
which  it  describes,  or  in  the  emotions  which  it  awakens,  anticipates  thoso 
states  of  progressive  power,  splendour,  beauty,  and  happiness  for  which 
it  was  created. 

"  We  accordingly  believe  that  poetry,  far  from  injuring  society,  is 
one  of  the  great  instruments  of  its  refinement  and  exaltation.  It  lifts  the 
mind  above  ordinary  life,  gives  it  a  respite  from  depressing  cares,  and 
awakens  the  consciousness  of  its  affinity  with  what  is  pure  and  noble.  In 
its  legitimate  and  highest  efforts  it  has  the  same  tendency  and  aim  with 
Christianity — that  is,  to  spiritualize  our  nature.  True,  poetry  has  been 
made  the  instrument  of  vice,  the  pander  of  bad  passions;  but  when  ge- 
nius thus  stoops  it  dims  its  fires,  and  parts  with  much  of  its  power;  and 
even  when  jjoetry  is  enslaved  to  licentiousness  or  misanthropy,  she  can- 
not wholly  forget  lier  true  vocation.  Strains  of  pure  feeling,  touches  of 
tenderness,  images  of  innocent  happiness,  sympathies  with  suffering  vir- 
tue, bursts  of  scorn  or  indignation  at  the  hollowness  of  the  world,  pas- 
sages true  to  our  moral  nature  often  escape  in  an  immoral  work,  and 
show  us  how  hard  it  is  for  a  gifted  spirit  to  divorce  itself  wholly  from 
what  is  good.  Poetry  has  a  natural  alliance  with  our  best  affections.  It 
delights  in  the  beauty  and  sublimity  of  the  outward  creation  and  of  the 
Eoni.  It  indeed  pourtrays  with  terrible  energy  the  excesses  of  the  pas- 
sions; but  they  are  pas'sions  which  show  a  mighty  nature,  which  are 
full  of  power,  which  command  awe,  and  excite  a  deep  though  shudder- 
ing sympathy." 

AVe  must  now  proceed  to  speak  specially  of  "  Paradise  Lost,"  perhaps 
the  noblest  monument  of  human  genius.  The  two  first  books,  by  uni- 
versal consent,  stands  pre-eminent  in  sublimity.  Hell  and  hell's  king 
have  a  terrible  harmony,  and  dilate  into  new  grandeur  and  awfulne.ss 
the  longer  we  contemplate  them.  From  one  element,  "  solid  and  liquid 
fire,"  the  poet  has  framed  a  world  of  horror  and  suffering,  such  as  im- 
agination h:id  never  traver]sed.  But  fiercer  flames  than  those  which  en- 
compass Satan  burn  in  his  own  soul.  Revenge,  exasi)erated  pride,  con- 
suming wrath,  ambition  though  fallen,  yet  uuconquered  by  the  tliunder.s 
of  the  Omnipotent,  and  gi-asping  still  at  the  empire  of  the  universe, — 
these  form  a  picture  more  sublime  and  terrible  than  hell.  Hell  yields  to 
the  spirit  which  it  imprisons.  The  intensity  of  its  fires  reveals  the  in- 
tenser  passions  and  more  vehement  will  of  Satan,  and  the  ruined  arch- 
angel gathers  into  him.self  the  sublimity  of  the  scene  which  surrounds 
him.  This  forms  the  tremendous  interest  of  these  wonderful  books.  We 
see  mind  triumphant  over  the  most  terrible  powers  of  nature.  We  see 
unutterable  agony  subdued  by  energy  of  soul.  We  have  not  indeed  in 
Satan  those  bursts  of  passion  which  rive  the  soul  as  well  as  shatter  the 
outward  frame  of  Lear,  but  we  have  a  depth  of  passion  which  only  an 
archangel  could  manifest.  The  all-enduring,  all-defying  pride  of  Satan, 
assuming  bo  majestically  hell's  burning  throne,  and  coveting  the  dia- 


12 


LIFE    OF   JOHN   MILTON. 


dem,  which  scorches  Iiis  thuuder-blasted  brow,  is  a  creation  requiring  in 
its  author  almost  the  spiritual  energy  with  which  he  invests  the  fallen 
seraph.  Some  have  doubted  whether  the  moral  eifect  of  such  delinea- 
tions of  the  storms  and  terrible  workings  of  the  soul  is  good ;  whether 
the  interest  felt  in  a  spirit  so  trausceudently  evil  as  Satan  favours  our 
Bympathies  with  virtue.  But  our  interest  fastens,  in  this  and  like  cases, 
or;  what  is  not  evil.  We  gaze  on  Satan  with  an  awe  not  unmixed  with 
m-jsterious  pleasure,  as  on  a  miraculous  manifestation  of  tlie  power  of 
mind.  What  chains  us,  as  with  a  resistless  spell,  in  such  a  cliaracter,  is 
spiritual  might  made  visible  by  tlie  racking  pains  which  it  overpowers. 
There  is  sometliing  kindling  and  ennoblingin  the  consciousness,  however 
awakened,  of  the  energy  wliich  resides  in  mind;  and  many  a  virtuous 
man  has  borrowed  new  strength  from  the  force,  constancy,  and  daunt- 
less courage  of  evil  agents. 

Milton's  description  of  Satan  attests  in  various  ways  the  power  of  his 
genius.  Critics  have  often  observed,  that  the  great  difficulty  of  his  work 
was  to  reconcile  the  spiritual  i^ropcrties  of  his  supernatural  beings  with 
the  human  modes  of  existence,  whicli  he  was  obliged  to  ascribe  to  them ; 
and  the  difficulty  is  too  great  for  any  genius  wholly  to  overcome,  and  we 
must  acknowledge  that  our  enthusiasm  is  in  some  parts  of  the  poem 
checked  by  a  feeling  of  incongruity  between  the  spiritual  agent  and  his 
sphere  and  mode  of  agency.  But  we  are  visited  with  no  such  chilling 
doubts  and  misgivings  in  the  description  of  Satan  in  hell.  Imagination 
has  here  achieved  its  highest  triumph,  in  imparting  a  character  of  i-eality 
and  truth  to  its  most  daring  creations.  That  world  of  horrors,  though 
material,  is  yet  so  remote  from  our  ordinary  nature,  that  a  spiritual  be- 
ing, exiled  from  heaven,  finds  there  an  appropriate  home.  Tliereis,  too, 
an  indefiniteuess  in  the  description  of  Satan's  person  which  incites  witliout 
shocking  the  imagination,  and  aids  us  to  combine  in  our  conception  of  him 
the  massiness  of  a  real  form  with  the  vagueness  of  spiritual  existence. 
To  the  production  of  this  effect  much  depends  on  the  first  impression 
given  by  the  poet;  for  this  is  apt  to  follow  us  through  the  whole  work; 
and  here  we  think  Milton  eminently  successful.  The  first  glimpse  of 
Satan  is  given  us  in  the  following  lines,  which,  whilst  too  indefinite  to  pro- 
voke the  scrutiny  of  the  reason,  fill  the  imagination  of  the  reader  with  a 
form  which  can  hardly  be  effaced : — 

"  Thus  Satan,  talking  to  his  nearest  mate 
With  head  np-lift  above  the  wave,  and  eyes 
That  sparkling  blazed,  his  other  parts  besides 
Prone  on  the  flood,  extending  long  and  large, 
Lay  floating  many  a  rood,    *    *    * 

<  Forthwith  upright  he  rears  from  off  the  pool 
His  mighty  stature  :  on  each  hand  the  flames, 
Driven  backward  slope  their  pointed  spires,  and  roll'd 
In  billows,  leave  1'  th'  midst  a  horrid  vale." 


We  have  more  which  we  should  gladly  say  of  the  delineation  of  Satan, 
especially  of  the  glimpses  which  are  now  and  then  given  of  his  deep 
anguish  and  despair,  and  of  the  touches  of  better  feelings  which  arc  skil- 
fully thrown  into  the  dark  picture,  both  suited  and  designed  to  blend 
with  our  admiration,  dread,  and  abliorence,  a  measure  of  tliat  sympathy 
and  interest  with  which  every  living,  thinking  being  ought  to  be  re- 
garded, and  without  which  all  other  feelings  tend  to  sin  and  pain.  But 
there  is  another  topic  which  we  cannot  leave  untouched.  From  hell  we 
flee  to  paradise— a  region  as  lovely  as  hell  is  terrible,  and  which  to  tliose 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    MILTON.  13 

who  do  not  knew  the  universality  of  true  geuius,  will  appear  doubl.v 
wonderful  when  considered  as  the  creation  of  tlie  same  mind  wliich  had 
painted  the  infernal  world. 

Paradise  and  its  inhabitants  are  in  sweet  accordance,  and  together  form 
A  scene  of  tranquil  bliss,  wliich  calms  and  soothes,  whilst  it  delights  the 
imagination.  Adam  and  Eve,  just  moulded  by  the  hand,  and  quickened 
by  the  breath  of  God,  reflect  in  their  countenances  and  forms,  as  well 
as  minds,  the  intelligence,  benignity,  and  happiness  of  their  author. 
Their  new  existence  has  the  freshness  and  peaccfulness  of  the  dewy 
morning.  Their  souls,  unsated  and  untainted,  find  an  innocent  joy  in  the 
Touthful  creation,  which  spreads  and  smiles  around  them.  Their  nuitiial 
love  is  deep  ;  for  it  is  the  love  of  young,  unworn,  unexhausted  hearts, 
which  meet  in  each  other  the  only  human  objects  on  whom  to  pour  forth 
their  fulness  of  affection  ;  and  .still  it  is  serene,  for  it  is  the  love  of 
happy  beings  who  know  not  suffering  even  by  name  —  whose  inno- 
cence excludes  not  only  the  tumults,  but  the  thought  of  jealousy  and 
shame — who  "  imparadised  in  one  another's  arras,"  scarce  dream  of 
futurity,  so  blessed  is  their  pre.sent  being.  We  will  not  say  that  we  envy 
our  first  i)arents,  for  we  feel  that  there  may  be  higher  hapiiiness  than 
theirs — a  happiness  won  through  struggle  with  inward  and  outward  foes 
— the  l\appines8  and  power  of  moral  victory — the  happiness  of  disinter- 
ested sacrifices  and  wide-spread  love — the  happiness  of  boundless  ho])e, 
and  of  "  thoughts  which  wander  through  eternity."  Still  there  are  times 
when  the  spirit,  oppressed  with  pain,  worn  with  toil,  tired  of  tumult,  sick 
at  the  sight  of  guilt,  wounded  in  its  love,  baffled  in  its  hope,  and  trem- 
bling in  its  faith,  almost  longs  for  the  "  wings  of  a  dove,  that  it  might  fly 
away,"  and  take  refuge  amidst  the  "  shady  bowers,''  tho  "  vernal  airs," 
the  "  roses  without  thorns,"  the  quiet,  the  beauty,  the  loveliness  of  Eden. 
It  is  the  contrast  of  this  deep  peace  of  paradise  with  the  storms  of  life 
which  gives  to  the  fourth  and  fifth  books  of  this  poem  a  charm  so  irre- 
sistible that  not  a  few  would  sooner  relinquish  the  two  first  books,  with 
all  their  sublimity,  than  part  with  these.  It  has  sometimes  been  said 
that  the  English  language  has  no  good  pastoral  poetry.  We  would  ask 
in  what  age  or  country  has  the  pastoral  reed  breathed  such  sweet  strains 
as  arc  borne  to  us  on  "the  odoriferous  wings  of  gentle  gales "  from  Mil- 
ton's Paradise  ? 

We  should  not  fulfil  our  duty  were  we  not  to  say  one  word  on 
what  has  been  justly  celebrated  the  harmony  of  Milton's  versifica- 
tion. His  numbers  have  the  prime  charm  of  expressiveness.  They  vary 
with,  and  answer  to,  the  depth  of  tenderness,  or  sublimity  of  his  concep- 
tions, and  hold  intimfate  alliance  with  the  soul.  Like  Michael  Augelo,  in 
who.se  hands  the  marble  was  said  to  be  flexible,  he  bends  our  language, 
which  foreigners  reproach  with  hardness,  into  whatever  forms  the  sub- 
ject demands.  All  the  treasures  of  sweet  and  soleuui  sounds  are  at  his 
command.  Words,  harsh  and  discordant  in  the  writings  of  less  gifted 
men,  flow  through  his  poetry  in  a  full  stream  of  harmony.  This  power 
over  language  is  not  to  be  ascribed  to  Milton's  musical  ear.  It  belongs 
to  the  .soul.  It  is  a  gilt  or  exercise  of  geuius,  which  has  power  to  impress 
itself  on  whatever  it  touches,  and  finds  or  frames  in  sounds,  motions,  and 
material  forms,  correspondences  and  harmonies  with  its  own  fervid 
thoughts  and  feelings. 

We  close  our  remarks  on  Milton's  poetry  with  observing,  that  it  is 
characterized  by  seriousness.  Great  and  various  as  are  its  merits,  it  does 
not  discover  all  the  variety  of  genius  which  we  find  in  Shakspeare,  whose 
imagination  revelled  equally  in  regions  of  mirth,  beauty  and  terror — now 
invoking  spectres,  now  sporting  with  fairies,  and  now  "  ascending  the 


14  LIPE    OF   JOHN    MILTON. 

highest  heaveu  of  invention.''  Milton  was  cast  on  times  too  solemn  and 
eventful,  was  called  to  take  part  in  transactions  too  perilous,  and  had 
too  perpetual  need  of  the  presence  of  high  thoughts  and  motives  to  in- 
dulge himself  in  light  and  gay  creations,  even  had  his  genius  been  more 
flexible  and  sportive.  But  Miltou's  poetry,  though  habitually  serious,  is 
always  healthful  and  bright,  and  vigorous.  It  has  no  gloom.  He  took 
no  pleasure  in  drawing  dark  pictures  of  life;  for  he  knew  by  experience 
that  there  is  a  power  in  the  soul  to  transmute  calamity  into  an  occasion 
and  nutriment  of  moral  power  and  triumphant  virtue.  We  find  nowhere 
iu  his  writings  that  whining  sensibility  and  exaggeration  of  morbid  feel- 
ing which  makes  so  much  of  modern  poetry  effeminating.  If  he  is  not 
gay,  he  is  not  spirit-broken.  His  "  L' Allegro  "  proves  that  he  understood 
thoroughly  the  bright  and  joyous  aspects  of  nature;  and  in  his  "  Pense- 
roso,"  where  he  was  tempted  to  accumulate  images  of  gloom,  we  learn 
that  the  saddest  views  which  he  took  of  creation  are  such  as  inspire  only 
pensive  musings  or  lofty  contemplation. 


PARADISE  LOST, 


BOOK    I. 

AKGUMEMT. 

The  FmsT  Book  proposes,  first  in  brief,  the  whole  subject,  man's  dis- 
obedience, and  the  loss  thereupon  of  Paradise,  wherein  lie  was  placed : 
then  touches  the  prime  cause  of  his  fall,  the  serpent,  or  rather  Satan  in 
the  serpent ;  who,  revolting  from  God,  and  drawing  to  his  side  many 
legions  of  angels,  was,  by  the  command  of  God,  driven  out  of  heaven, 
with  all  his  crew,  into  the  great  deep.  Which  action  passed  over,  the 
Poem  hastens  into  the  midst  of  things,  presenting  Satin  with  his  angels 
uow  falling  into  Hell,  described  here,  not  in  the  centre  (for  Heaven  and 
Earth  may  be  supposed  as  yet  not  made,  certainly  not  yet  accursed),  V)ut 
in  a  place  of  utter  darkness,  fitliest  called  Chaos:  Here  Satan,  with  his 
angels,  lying  on  the  burning  lake,  thunderstruck  and  astonished,  after  a 
certain  space  recovers,  as  from  confusion,  calls  up  iiim  who  next  in  order 
and  dignity  lay  by  him  ;  they  confer  of  thoir  miserable  fall ;  Satan 
awakens  jfll  his  legions,  who  lay  till  then  in  the  same  manner  2on- 
fouuded.  They  rise,  their  numbers,  array  of  battle;  their  chief  leaders 
named  according  to  the  idols  known  afterwards  in  Canaan  and  the 
countries  adjoining.  To  these  Satan  directs  his  speech,  comforts  them 
with  hope  yet  of  regaining  Heaven,  but  tells  them  lastly  of  a  new  world 
and  a  new  kind  of  creature  to  be  created  according  to  an  ancient 
prophecy,  or  report  in  Heaven  ;  for  that  angels  were  long  before  this 
visible  creation,  was  the  opinion  of  many  ancient  Fathers.  To  find  out 
the  truth  of  this  prophecy,  and  what  to  determine  thereon,  he  refers 
to  a  full  council.  What  his  associates  thence  attempt.  Pandemonium, 
the  palace  of  Satan,  rises,  suddenly  built  out  of  the  deep:  the  infernal 
peers  there  sit  in  council. 

Of  man's  first  disobedience,  and  the  fruit 
Of  that  forbidden  tree,  whose  mortal  taste 
Brought  death  into  the  world,  and  all  our  woe, 
With  loss  of  Eden,  till  one  greater  Man 
Restore  us,  and  regain  the  blissful  seat, 
Sing,  heavenly  Muse,  that  on  the  secret  top 
Of  Oreb,  or  of  Sinai,  didst  inspire 
That  shepherd,  who  first  taught  the  chosen  seed, 
In  the  beginning  how  the  heavens  and  earth 


10  PARADISE    LOST. 

Rose  out  of  chaos :  or,  if  Sion  hill 
Delight  thee  more,  and  Siloa's  bi-ook  that  flow'd 
Fast  by  the  oracle  of  God,  I  thence 
Invoke  thy  aid  to  my  adventurous  song, 
That  with  no  middle  flight  intends  to  soar 
Above  the  Aoniou  mount,  while  it  pursues 
Things  unattemptcd  yet  in  pi-ose  or  rhyme. 
And  chiefly  Thou,  O  Spirit,  that  dost  prefer 
Before  all  temjjles  the  upright  heart  and  pure, 
Instruct  me,  for  Thou  know'st.  Thou  from  the  first 
Wast  present,  and  with  mighty  wings  outspread, 
Dove-like,  satst  brooding  on  the  vast  abyss, 
And  made  it  pregnant :  what  in  me  is  dark 
Illumine  ;  what  is  low  raise  and  support ; 
That  to  the  height  of  this  gi-eat  argument 
I  may  assert  eternal  Providence, 
And  justify  the  ways  of  God  to  men. 

Say  first,  for  Heaven  hides  nothing  from  thy  A'iew, 
N'or  the  de^p  tract  of  Hell ;  say  first,  what  cause 
Moved  our  grand  parents,  in  that  happy  state, 
Favoured  of  Heaven  so  highly,  to  fall  off 
From  their  Creator,  and  transgress  his  will 
For  one  restraint,  lords  of  the  world  besides  ? 
Who  first  seduced  them  to  that  foul  revolt  ? 
Th'  infernal  Serpent ;  he  it  was,  whose  guile, 
Stirr'd  up  with  envy  and  revenge,  deceived 
The  mother  of  mankind,  what  time  his  pride 
Had  cast  him  out  from  Heaven,  with  all  his  host 
Of  rebel  angels,  by  whose  aid  aspiring 
To  set  himself  in  glory  above  his  peers, 
He  trusted  to  have  equalled  the  Most  High, 
If  he  opposed  ;  and,  with  ambitious  aim 
Against  the  throne  and  monarchy  of  God 
Raised  impious  Avar  in  Heaven,  and  battle  prou 
With  vain  attempt.     Him  the  Almighty  Power 
Hurled  headlong  flaming  from  the  ethereal  sky. 
With  hideous  ruin  and  combustion,  down 
To  bottomless  jierdition,  there  to  dwell 
In  adamantine  chains  and  penal  fire, 
Who  durst  defy  the  Omnipotent  to  arms. 


PARADISE  r.oai.  17 

Nine  times  the  space  that  measures  clay  an<l  night 

To  mortal  men,  he  with  his  horrid  crew 

Lay  vanquished,  rolling  in  the  fiery  gulf. 

Confounded  thoujrh  immortal :  but  his  doom 

Reserved  him  to  more  wrath  ;  for  now  the  thought 

Both  of  lost  happiness  and  lasting  pain 

Torments  him :  round  he  throws  his  baleful  eyes, 

That  witnessed  huge  affliction  and  dismay 

Mixed  with  obdurate  pride  and  steadfast  hate : 

At  once,  as  far  as  angel's  ken,  he  views 

The  dismal  situation  waste  and  wild  ; 

A  dungeon  horrible  on  all  sides  round 

As  one  great  furnace  flamed,  yet  from  those  flames 

No  light,  but  rather  darkness  visible 

Served  only  to  discover  sights  of  woe, 

Regions  of  sorrow,  doleful  shades,  where  peace 

And  rest  can  never  dwell,  hope  never  comes 

That  comes  to  all ;  but  torture  without  end 

Still  urges,  and  a  fiery  deluge,  fed 

With  ever-burning  sulphur  unconsumed  : 

Such  place  eternal  Justice  had  pre])arcd 

For  those  rebellious,  here  their  prison  ordained 

In  utter  darkness,  and  their  portion  set 

As  far  removed  from  God  and  light  of  Heaven, 

As  from  the  centre  thrice  to  the  utmost  ])ole. 

Oh,  how  unlike  the  place  from  whence  they  fell  I 

There  the  companions  of  his  fall,  o'erwhelmed 

With  floods  and  whirlwinds  of  tempestuous  fire, 

He  soon  discerns,  and  weltering  by  his  side 

One  next  himself  in  power,  and  next  in  crime. 

Long  after  known  in  Palestine,  and  named 

Beel/ebub.     To  whom  the  Arch-Enemy, 

And  thence  in  Heaven  called  Satan,  with  bold  worda 

Breaking  the  horrid  silence  thus  began. 

"  If  thou  beest  he  ;  but  oh,  how  fallen  !  how  changed 
From  him,  Avho  in  the  happy  realms  of  light 
Clothed  with  transcendent  brio'htncss  didst  outshine 
]\[yi'iads  though  bright !     If  he  whom  mutual  league, 
United  thoughts  :in<l  counsels,  equal  hope 
And  hazard  in  the  glorious  enterprise. 


18  *  PARADISE   LOST. 

Joined  with  me  once,  now  misery  hath  joined 
In  equal  ruin  :  into  what  pit  thou  seest 
From  what  height  fallen,  so  much  the  stronger  proved 
He  with  his  thunder :  and  till  then  who  knew 
The  force  of  those  dire  arms  ?  yet  not  for  those, 
Nor  what  the  potent  victor  in  his  rage 
Can  else  inflict,  do  I  repent  or  change, 
Though  changed  in  outward  lustre,  that  fix'd  mind, 
And  high  disdain  from  sense  of  injured  merit, 
That  with  the  mightiest  raised  me  to  contend, 
And  to  the  fierce  contention  brought  along 
Innumerable  force  of  spirits  armed. 
That  durst  dislike  his  reign,  and  me  prefex-ring, 
His  utmost  power  with  adverse  power  opposed 
In  dubious  battle  on  the  plains  of  Heaven, 
And  shook  his  throne.     What  though  the  field  be  lost? 
All  is  not  lost ;  the  unconquerable  will, 
And  study  of  revenge,  immortal  hate, 
And  courage  never  to  submit  or  yield. 
And  what  is  else  not  to  be  overcome  ; 
That  glory  never  shall  his  wrath  or  might 
Extort  from  me.     To  bow  and  sue  for  grace 
With  suppliant  knee,  and  deify  his  power, 
Who  from  the  terror  of  this  arm  so  late 
Doubted  his  empire ;  that  were  low  indeed, 
That  were  an  ignominy  and  shame  beneath 
This  downfall ;  since  by  fate  the  strength  of  gods 
And  this  empyreal  substance,  cannot  fail ; 
Since,  through  experience  of  this  great  event. 
In  arms  not  worse,  in  foresight  much  advanced, 
We  may  with  more  successful  hope  resolve 
To  wage  by  force  or  guile  eternal  war, 
Irreconcilable  to  our  grand  foe. 
Who  now  triumphs,  and  in  the  excess  of  joy- 
Sole  reigning  holds  the  tyranny  of  Heaven. ' 

So  spake  the  apostate  angel,  though  in  pain, 
Vaunting  aloud,  but  racked  with  deep  despair : 
And  him  thus  answered  soon  his  bold  compeer. 

"  O  prince,  O  chief  of  many-throned  powers, 
That  led  the  embattled  seraphim  to  war 


PARADISE    LOST.  19 

Under  thy  conduct,  and  in  dreadful  deeds 

Fearless,  endanger'd  heaven's  perpetual  King, 

And  ])ut  to  proof  his  high  supremacy, 

Whether  upheld  by  strength,  or  chance,  or  fate; 

Too  well  I  see  and  rue  the  dire  event, 

That  with  sad  overthrow  and  foul  defeat 

Hath  lost  us  Heaven,  and  all  this  mighty  host 

in  horrible  destruction  laid  thus  low, 

As  far  as  gods  and  heavenly  essences 

Can  perish :  for  the  mind  and  spirit  remains 

Invincible,  and  vigour  soon  returns. 

Though  all  our  glory  extinct,  and  happy  state 

Here  swallow'd  up  in  endless  misery. 

But  what  if  he  our  Conqueror  (whom  I  now 

Of  force  believe  almighty,  since  no  less 

Than  such  could  have  o'erpower'd  such  force  as  oura) 

Have  left  us  this  our  spirit  and  strength  entire. 

Strongly  to  suffer  and  support  our  pains. 

That  we  may  so  suffice  his  vengeful  ire. 

Or  do  him  mightier  service  as  his  thralls 

By  right  of  war,  whate'er  his  business  be, 

Here  in  the  heait  of  Hell  to  work  in  fire, 

Or  do  his  errands  in  the  gloomy  deep  ; 

What  can  it  tlien  avail,  though  yet  we  feel 

Strength  undiminished,  or  eternal  being 

To  undergo  eternal  punishment?" 

Whereto  with  speedy  words  the  arch-fiend  replied. 

"  Fall'n  cherub  !"to  be  weak  is  miserable 
Doing  or  suffering :  but  of  this  be  eure, 
To  do  aught  good  never  will  be  our  task, 
But  ever  to  do  ill  our  sole  delight. 
As  being  the  contrary  to  his  high  will 
Whom  we  resist./  If  then  his  providence 
Out  of  our  evil  seek  to  bring  forth  good. 
Our  labour  must  be  to  pervert  that  end, 
And  out  of  good  still  to  find  means  of  evil ; 
Which  oft-times  may  succeed,  so  as  perhaps 
Shall  gi-ieve  Him,  if  I  fail  not,  and  disturb 
His  inmost  counsels  from  their  destined  aim. 
But  sec  !  the  angry  Victor  hath  recalled 


20  PARADISE    LOST. 

His  ministers  of  vengeance  and  pursuit 
Back  to  the  gates  of  heaven  :  the  sulphurous  hail 
Shot  after  us  in  storm,  o'erblown  hath  laid 
The  fiery  surge,  that  from  the  precipice 
Of  heaven  received  us  falling  ;  and  the  thunder, 
Wing'd  with  red  lightning  and  impetuous  rage, 
Perhaps  has  spent  his  shafts,  and  ceases  now 
To  bellow  through  the  vast  and  boundless  deep. 
Let  us  not  slip  the  occasion,  whether  scorn 
Or  satiate  fury  yield  it  from  our  Foe. 
Seest  thou  yon  dreary  plain,  forlorn  and  Avild, 
The  seat  of  desolation,  void  of  light. 
Save  what  the  glimmering  of  these  livid  flames 
Casts  pnle  and  dreadful  ?     Thither  let  us  tend 
From  off  the  tossing  of  these  fiery  waves, 
There  rest,  if  any  rest  can  harbour  there, 
And  re-assembling  our  afflicted  powers, 
Consult  how  we  may  henceforth  most  offend 
Oixr  enemy ;  our  own  loss  how  repair  ; 
How  overcome  this  dire  calamity  ; 
What  reinforcement  we  may  gain  from  hope  'j 
If  not,  what  resolution  from  despair." 
/  Thus  Satan,  talking  to  his  nearest  mate, 
With  head  up-lift  above  the  wave,  and  eyes 
That  sparkling  blazed  j  his  other  parts  besides 
Prone  on  the  flood,  extended  long  and  large. 
Lay  floating  many  a  rood  :  in  bulk  as  huge 
As  whom  the  fables  name  of  monstrous  size, 
Titanian,  or  earth-born,  that  warred  on  Jove, 
Briareos,  or  Typhon,  whom  the  den 
By  ancient  Tarsus  held,  or  that  sea-beast 
Leviathan,  which  God  of  all  his  works 
Created  hugest  that  swim  the  ocean  stream  : 
Him,  haply  slumbering  on  the  Norway  foam. 
The  pilot  of  some  small  night-foundered  skiff 
Deeming  some  island,  oft,  as  seamen  tell, 
With  fixed  anchor  in  his  scaly  rind 
Moors  by  his  side  under  the  lea,  while  night 
Invests  the  sea,  and  wished  morn  delays  : 
So  stretch'd  out  huge  in  length  the  arch-fiend  lay 


PARADISE    LOST.  21 

Chained  on  the  burning  lake,  nor  ever  thence 

Had  risen  or  heaved  his  head,  but  that  the  will 

And  high  permission  of  all-ruling  Heaven 

Left  hiiu  at  large  to  his  own  dark  designs, 

That  with  reiterated  crimes  he  might 

Heap  on  himself  damnation,  while  he  sought 

Evil  to  others  ;  and  enraged  might  see 

How  all  his  malice  served  but  to  bring  forth 

Infinite  goodness,  grace  and  mercy  shown 

On  man  by  him  seduced  ;  but  on  himself 

Treble  confusion,  wrath  and  vengeance  poured. 

Forthwith  upright  he  rears,  from  off  the  pool, 

His  mighty  stature  ;  on  each  hand  the  flames. 

Driven  backward,  slope  their  pointing  spires,  and  rolled 

In  billows,  leave  i'  the  midst  a  horrid  vale. 

Then  with  expanded  wings  he  steers  his  flight 

Aloft,  incumbent  on  the  dusky  air 

That  felt  unusual  weight,  till  on  dry  land 

He  lights,  if  it  were  land  that  ever  burned 

With  solid,  as  the  lake  with  liquid  fire; 

And  such  appear'd  in  hue,  as  when  the  force 

Of  subterranean  wind  transports  a  hill 

Torn  from  Pelorus,  or  the  shattered  side 

Of  thundering  ^tna,  whose  combustible 

And  fucl'd  entrails  thence  conceiving  fire, 

Sublimed  with  mineral  fury,  aid  the  winds, 

And  leave  a  singed  bottom,  all  involved 

With  stench  and  smoke  :  such  resting  found  the  sole 

Of  unblest  feet.     Him  followed  his  next  mate, 

Both  glorying  to  have  'scaped  the  Stygian  flood 

As  gods,  and  by  their  own  recovered  strength, 

Nof  by  the  sufferance  of  supernal  Power. 

"  Is  this  the  region,  this  the  soil,  the  clime," 
Said  then  the  lost  archangel,  "  this  the  seat 
That  we  must  change  for  Heaven,  this  mournful  gloom 
For  that  celestial  light  ?     Be*it  so,  since  he, 
Who  now  is  Sovran,  can  dispose  and  bid 
What  shall  bo  right:  farthest  from  him  is  best, 
Whom  reason  hath  equalled,  force  halh  made  sujirerae 
Above  his  cq'ials.     Farewell  happy  fields 


22  PARADISE    LOST. 

Where  joy  for  erer  dwells !     Hail  horrors  !  hail 
Infernal  world,  and  thou,  profouudest  Hell, 
Receive  thy  new  possessor!  one  who  brings 
A  mind  not  to  be  changed  by  place  or  time  : 
tl'he  mind  is  its  own  place,  and  in  itself 
Can  make  a  Heaven  of  Hell,  a  Hell  of  Heaven 
"What  matter  where,  if  I  be  still  the  same, 
And  what  I  should  be,  all  but  less  than  he 
Whom  thunder  hath  made  greater  ?     Here  at  least 
We  shall  be  free  ;  the  Almighty  hath  not  built 
Here  for  his  envy,  will  not  drive  us  hence  : 
Here  we  may  reign  secure,  and,  in  my  choice, 
To  reign  is  worth  ambition  though  in  Hell : 
Better  to  reign  in  Hell  than  serve  in  Heavenf 
But  wherefore  let  we  then  our  faithful  friends, 
The  associates  and  copartners  of  our  loss. 
Lie  thus  astonished  on  the  oblivious  pool, 
And  call  them  not  to  share  with  us  their  part 
In  this  unhappy  mansion,  or  once  more, 
With  rallied  arms,  to  try  what  may  be  yet 
Regained  in  Heaven,  or  what  more  lost  in  Hell?" 

So  Satan  spake,  and  him  Beelzebub 
Thus  answer'd.    "  Leader  of  those  armies  bright. 
Which  but  the  Omnipotent  none  could  have  foiled, 
If  once  they  hear  that  A'oice,  their  liveliest  pledge 
Of  hope  in  fears  and  dangers,  heard  so  oft 
In  Avorse  extremes,  and  on  the  perilous  edge 
Of  battle  when  it  raged,  in  all  assaults 
Their  surest  signal,  they  will  soon  resume 
New  courage  and  revive,  though  now  they  lie 
Grovelling  and  prostrate  on  yon  lake  of  fire, 
As  we  erewhile,  astounded  and  amazed: 
No  wonder,  fallen  such  a  pernicious  height." 

He  scarce  had  ceased  when  the  superior  fiend 
Was  moving  toward  the  shore  ;  his  ponderous  shield. 
Ethereal  temper,  massy,  l;yge,  and  round. 
Behind  him  cast;  the  broad  circumference 
Hung  on  his  shoulders  like  the  moon,  whose  orb 
Through  optic  glass  the  Tuscan  artist  views 
At  evening  from  the  toj)  of  Fesole, 


PARADISE    LOST.  _     ^3 

Or  in  Valdarno,  to  descry  new  lands, 

Rivers,  or  mountains  in  her  spotty  globe. 

His  spear,  to  equal  which  the  tallest  pine 

Hewn  on  Norwegian  hills,  to  be  the  mast 

On  some  great  ammiral,  were  but  a  wand, 

He  walk'd  with,  to  support  uneasy  steps 

Over  the  burning  marl,  not  like  those  steps 

On  heaven's  azure,  and  the  torrid  clime 

Smote  on  him  sore  besides,  vaulted  with  fire, 

Nathless  he  so  endured,  till  on  the  beach 

Of  that  inflamed  sea  he  stood,  and  call'd 

His  legions,  angel  forms,  who  lay  entranced 

Thick  as  autumnal  leaves  that  strew  the  brooks 

In  Vallombrosa,  where  the  Etrurian  shades 

High  over-arched  imbower  ;  or  scattered  sedge 

Afloat,  when  with  fierce  winds  Orion  armed 

Hath  vexed  the  Red  Sea  coast,  whose  waves  o'erthrew 

Busiris  and  his  Memphian  chivalry. 

While  Avith  perfidious  hatred  they  pursued 

The  sojourners  of  Goshen,  who  beheld 

From  the  safe  shore  their  floating  carcasses 

And  broken  chariot  wheels  :  so  thick  bestrewn. 

Abject  and  lost,  lay  these,  covering  the  flood, 

Under  amazement  of  their  hideous  change. 

He  called  so  loud,  that  all  the  hollow  deep 

Of  Hell  resounded.    "  Princes,  potentates, 

Warriors,  the  flower  of  Heaven,  once  yours,  now  lost, 

If  such  astonishment  as  this  can  seize 

Eternal  spirits  ;  or  have  ye  chosen  this  ])lacc 

After  the  toil  of  battle  to  repose 

Your  wearied  virtue,  for  the  ease  you  find 

To  slumber  here,  as  in  the  vales  of  Heaven  ? 

Or  in  this  abject  posture  have  ye  sworn 

To  adore  the  Conqueror  ?  who  now  beholds 

Cherub  and  seraph  rolling  in  the  flood 

With  scatter'd  arms  and  ensigns ;  till  anon 

His  swift  pursuers  from  Heaven  gates  discern 

The  advantage,  and  descending  tread  us  down 

Thus  drooj)ing,  or  with  linked  thunderbolts 

Transfix  us  to  the  bottom  of  this  gulf. 


24  PARADISE    LOST. 

Awake,  arise,  or  be  for  ever  fallen  ! " 

They  heard,  and  were  abasb'd,  and  up  they  sprung 
Upon  the  Aving,  as  when  men,  wont  to  watch 
On  duty,  sleeping  found  by  whom  they  dread, 
Rouse  and  bestir  themselves  ere  well  awake. 
Nor  did  they  not  perceive  the  evil  plight 
In  which  they  Avere,  or  the  fierce  pains  not  feel ; 
Yet  to  their  general's  voice  they  soon  obeyed, 
Innumerable.     As  when  the  potent  rod 
Of  Amram's  son,  in  Egypt's  evil  day, 
Waved  round  the  coast,  up  called  a  pitchy  cloud 
Of  locusts,  warping  on  the  eastern  wind. 
That  o'er  the  realm  of  impious  Pliaraoh  hung 
Like  night,  and  darkened  all  the  land  of  Nile: 
So  nuni^berless  were  those  bad  angels  seen 
Hovering  on  wing  under  the  cope  of  Hell 
'Twixt  upper,  nether,  and  surrounding  fires ; 
Till,  at  a  signal  given,  the  uplifted  spear 
Of  their  great  sultan  waving  to  direct 
Their  course,  in  even  balance  down  they  light 
On  the  firm  brimstone,  and  fill  all  tlie  plain ; 
A  multitude,  like  which  the  populous  North 
Poured  never  from  her  frozen  loins,  to  pass 
Rhene  or  the  Danaw,  when  her  barbarous  sons 
Came  like  a  deluge  on  the  south,  and  spread 
Beneath  Gibraltar  to  the  Lybian  sands. 
Forthwith  from  every  squadron  and  each  band 
The  heads  and  leaders  thither  haste  where  stood 
Their  great  commander;  godlike  shapes  and  forms 
Excelling  human,  princely  dignities. 
And  poAvers  that  erst  in  Heaven  sat  on  thrones, 
Though  of  their  names  in  heavenly  records  noAV 
Be  no  memorial,  blotted  out  and  rased 
By  their  rebellion  from  the  book  of  life. 
Nor  had  they  yet  among  the  sons  of  Eve 
Got  them  new  names  ;  till,  wandering  o'er  the  earth. 
Through  God's  high  sufferance,  for  the  trial  of  man. 
By  falsities  and  lies  the  greater  part 
Of  mankind  they  corrupted  to  forsake 
God  their  Creator,  and  the  invisible 


PARAD18K    LOST.  20 

Glory  of  Ilira  that  made  tlieiu  to  transform 

Oft  to  the  image  of  a  brute,  adorned 

"With  gay  religions  full  of  pomp  and  gold, 

And  devils  to  adore  for  deities, 

Then  were  they  known  to  men  by  various  names, 

And  various  idols  through  the  heathen  world. 

Say,  Muse,  their  names  then  known,  who  first,   who 
last. 
Roused  from  the  slumber,  on  that  fiery  couch. 
At  their  great  emperoi-'s  call,  as  next  in  worth 
Came  singly  where  he  stood  on  the  bare  strand, 
While  the  promiscuous  crowd  stood  yet  aloof. 
The  chief  were  those  who  from  the  pit  of  Hell, 
Roaming  to  seek  their  prey  on  earth,  durst  fix 
Their  seats  long  after  next  the  seat  of  God, 
Their  altars  by  his  altar,  gods  adored 
Among  the  nations  round,  and  durst  abide 
Jehovah  thundering  out  of  Sion,  throned 
Bet\\'een  the  cherubim  ;  yea,  often  placed 
Within  his  sanctuary  itself  their  shrines, 
Abominations  ;  and  with  cursed  things 
His  holy  rites  and  solemn  feasts  profaned, 
And  with  their  darkness  durst  affront  his  light. 
First  Moloch,  horrid  king  besmeared  with  blood 
Of  human  sacrifice,  and  parents'  tears. 
Though  for  the  noise  of  drums  and  timbrels  loud 
Their  children's  cries  unheard,  that  passed  through  fire 
To  his  grim  idol.     Ilim  the  Ammonite 
Worshipped  in  Rabba  and  her  watery  plain, 
In  Argob  and  in  Basan,  to  the  stream 
Of  utmost  Arnon.     Nor  content  with  such 
Audacious  neighbourhood,  the  wisest  heart 
Of  Solomon  he  led  by  fraud  to  build 
His  temple  right  against  the  temple  of  God 
On  that  opprobrious  hill,  and  made  his  grove 
The  pleasant  vale  of  Ilinnom,  Tophet  thence 
And  black  Gehenna  called,  the  type  of  Hell. 
Next  Chemos,  the  obscene  dread  of  Moab's  sons 
From  Aroar  to  Nebo,  and  the  wild 
Of  southmost  Abarim  ;  in  Ilesebon 


26  PARADISE    LOST. 

And  Horonaim,  Seon's  realm   beyond 

The  flowery  dale  of  Sibraa  clad  with  vines. 

And  Eleale  to  the  asphaltic  pool. 

Peor  his  other  name,  when  he  enticed 

Israel  in  Sit-tim  on  their  march  from  Nile 

To  do  him  wanton  rites,  which  cost  them  woe. 

Yet  thence  his  lustful  orgies  he  enlarged 

Even  to  that  hill  of  scandal,  by  the  grove 

Of  Moloch  homicide,  lust  hard  by  hate ; 

Till  good  Josiah  drove  them  thence  to  Hell. 

With  these  came  they,  who  from  the  bordering  flood 

Of  old  Euphrates  to  the  brook  that  parts 

Egypt  from  Syrian  ground,  had  general  names 

Of  Baalim  and  Ashtaroth,  those  male, 

These  feminine.    For  spirits  when  they  please 

Can  either  sex  assume,  or  both  ;  so  soft 

And  uncompounded  is  their  essence  pure, 

Not  tied  or  manacled  with  joint  or  limb, 

Nor  founded  on  the  brittle  strength  of  bones, 

'Like  cumbrous  flesh  ;  but  in  what  shape  they  choose, 

Dilated  or  condensed,  bright  or  obscure, 

Can  execute  their  airy  purposes, 

And  works  of  love  or  enmity  fulfil. 

For  those  the  race  of  Israel  oft  forsook 

Their  living  Strength,  and  unfreqnented  left 

His  righteous  altar,  bowing  lowly  down 

To  bestial  gods  ;  for  which  their  heads  as  low 

Bowed  down  in  battle,  sunk  before  the  spear 

Of  despicable  foes.     With  these  in  troop 

Came  Astoreth,  whom  the  Phcenicians  called 

Astarte,  Queen  of  Heaven,  Avith  crescent  horns ; 

To  whose  bright  image  nightly  by  the  moon 

Sidonian  virgins  paid  their  vows  and  songs, 

In  Sion  also  not  unsung,  where  stood 

Her  temple  on  the  offensive  mountain,  built 

By  that  uxorious  king,  whose  heart,  though  large. 

Beguiled  by  fair  idolatresses,  fell 

To  idols  foul.     Thammuz  came  next  behind, 

Whose  annual  wound  in  Lebanon  allured 

The  Syrian  damsels  to  lament  his  fate 


PARADISE    LOST.  27 

In  amorous  ditties  all  a  summer's  day, 

While  smooth  Adonis  from  his  native  rock 

Ran  ]»ur])le  to  the  sea,  supposed  with  blood 

Of  Tliammuz  yearly  wounded  :  the  love-tale 

Infected  Sion's  daughters  Avith  like  heat. 

Whose  wanton  passions  in  the  sacred  porch 

Ezekiel  saw,  when  by  the  vision  led 

His  eye  surveyed  the  dark  idolatries 

Of  alienated  Judah.     Next  came  one 

Who  mourned  in  earnest,  when  the  captive  ark 

Maimed  his  brute  image  head  and  hands  lopp'd  off 

In  his  own  temple,  on  the  grunsel  edge. 

Where  he  fell  flat,  and  shamed  his  worshippers  ; 

Dagon  his  name,  sea-monster,  upward  man 

And  downward  fish  :  yet  had  his  temple  high 

Reared  in  Azotus,  dreaded  through  the  coast 

Of  Palestine,  in  Gath  and  Ascalon, 

And  Accaron  and  Gaza's  frontier  bounds. 

Him  followed  Rimmon,  Avhose  delightful  seat 

Was  fair  Damascus,  on  the  fertile  banks 

Of  Abbana  and  Pharphar,  lucid  streams. 

He  also  'gainst  the  house  of  God  was  bold  : 

A  leper  once  he  lost,  and  gained  a  king ; 

Ahaz  his  sottish  conqueror,  Avhom  he  drew 

God's  altar  to  disparage  and  displace, 

For  one  of  Syrian  mode,  whereon  to  burn 

His  odious  offerings,  and  adore  the  gods 

Whom  he  had  vanquished.     After  these  appeared 

A  crew  who,  under  names  of  old  renown, 

Osiris,  Isis,  Orus,  and  their  train. 

With  monstrous  shapes  and  sorceries  abused 

Fanatic  Egypt  and  her  priests,  to  seek 

Their  wandering  gods  disguised  in  brutish  forms 

Rather  than  human.     Nor  did  Israel  'scape 

The  infection,  when  their  borrowed  gold  composed 

The  calf  in  Oreb ;  and  the  rebel  king 

Doubled  that  sin  in  Bethel  and  in  Dan, 

Likening  his  Maker  to  the  grazed  ox  ; 

Jehovah,  who  in  one  night,  when  he  pass'd 

From  Egypt  marching,  equalled  with  one  stroke 


28  PARADISE    LOST. 

Both  her  fii-st-borii  and  all  lier  bleating  gods. 
Belial  came  last,  than  whom  a  spirit  more  lewd 
Fell  not  from  Heaven,  or  more  gross  to  love 
Vice  for  itself  :  to  him  no  temple  stood 
Or  altar  smoked :  yet  who  more  oft  than  he 
In  temples  and  at  altars,  when  the  priest 
T\;rns  atheist,  as  did  Eli's  sons,  who  filled 
With  lust  and  violence  the  house  of  God  ? 
In  courts  and  ])alaces  he  also  reigns, 
And  in  luxurious  cities,  where  tlie  noise 
Of  riot  ascends  above  their  loftiest  towers, 
And  injury  and  outrage  :  and  when  night 
Darkens  the  streets,  then  wander  forth  the  sons 
Of  Belial,  flown  with  insolence  and  wine. 
Witness  the  streets  of  Sodom,  and  that  night 
In  Gibeah,  when  the  hospital  door 
Exi)osed  a  matron,  to  avoid  worse  rape. 
These  wei'e  the  prime  in  order  and  in  might; 
The  rest  were  long  to  tell,  though  far  renowned, 
The  Ionian  gods,  of  Javan's  issue  ;  held 
Gods,  yet  confessed  later  than  Heaven  and  Earth, 
Their  boasted  parents  ;  Titan,  heaven's  first-born, 
With  his  enormous  brood,  and  birthright  seized 
By  younger  Saturn  ;  he  from  mightier  Jove, 
His  own  and  Rhea's  son,  like  measure  found ; 
So  Jove  usurping  reign'd ;  these  first  in  Crete 
And  Ida  known,  thence  on  the  snowy  top 
Of  cold  Olympus  ruled  the  middle  air. 
Their  highest  Heaven  ;  or  on  the  Deli)hian  cliff, 
Or  in  Dodona,  and  through  all  the  bounds 
Of  Doric  land  ;  or  who  with  Saturn  old 
Fled  over  Adria  to  the  Hesperian  fields. 
And  o'er  the  Celtic  roamed  the  utmost  isles. 

All  these  and  more  came  flocking;  but  with  looks 
Downcast  and  damp,  yet  such  wherein  appeared 
Obscure  some  glimpse  of  joy,  to  have  found  their  cliief 
Not  in  despair,  to  have  found  themselves  not  lost 
In  loss  itself  :  which  on  his  countenanro  cast 
Like  doubtful  hue ;  but  he  his  wonted  ])ride 
Soon  recollecting,  with  high  words,  that  bore 


PARADIRR    LOST.  29 

Semblancp  of  worth  not  substance,  gently  raised 

Thcii-  fninting  eourfigc,  and  dispelled  their  fears. 

Then  straight  commands  that  at  the  warlike  sound 

Of  trumpets  loud  and  clarions  be  upreared 

His  mighty  standard  ;  that  proud  honour  claimed 

Azazel  as  his  right,  a  cherub  tall, 

Who  forthwith  from  the  glittering  staff  unfurl'd 

The  im]>erial  ensign  ;  which,  full  high  advanced, 

Shone  like  a  meteor  streaming  to  the  wind. 

With  gems  and  golden  lustre  rich  emblazed, 

Seraphic  arms  and  trophies;  all  the  while 

Sonorous  metal  blowing  martial  sounds  : 

At  which  the  universal  host  up  sent 

A  shout,  that  tore  Hell's  concave,  and  beyond 

Frighted  the  reign  of  Chaos  and  old  Night. 

All  in  a  moment  through  the  gloom  were  seen 

Ten  thousand  banners  rise  into  the  air 

With  orient  colours  waving  ;  Avith  them  rose 

A  forest  luige  of  spears,  and  thronging  helms 

Appeared,  and  serried  shields  in  thick  array 

Of  depth  immeasurable  ;  anon  they  move 

In  jierfect  ])halanx  to  the  Dorian  mood 

Of  flutes  and  soft  recorders  ;  such  as  raised 

To  height  of  noblest  tem})er  heroes  old 

Arming  to  battle,  and  instead  of  rage 

Deliberate  valour  breathed,  firm  and  unmoved 

With  dread  of  death  to  flight  or  foul  retreat ; 

Nor  wanting  power  to  mitigate  and  'suage 

With  solemn  touches  troubled  thoughts,  and  chase 

Anguish  and  doul)t,  and  fear,  and  sorrow,  and  pain, 

From  mortal  or  immortal  minds.     Thus  they, 

Breathing  united  force,  with  fixed  thought, 

Mov'd  on  in  silence  to  soft  ]upes,  that  charmed 

Their  pninful  steps  o'er  the  burnt  soil ;  and  now 

Advanced  in  view  they  stand,  a  horrid  front 

Of  dreadful  length  and  dazzling  arms,  in  guise 

Of  warriors  old  Avith  ordered  spear  and  shield. 

Awaiting  what  command  their  mighty  chief 

Had  to  impose.     He  through  the  armed  files 

Darts  his  experienced  eye,  and  soon  traverse 


r 


30  P  ABA  DISK    LOST. 

Thi  whole  battalion  views,  their  order  due. 

Their  visages  and  stature  as  of  gods  ; 

Their  number,  last  he  sums.     And  now  his  heart 

Distends  Avith  pride,  and  hardening  in  his  strength 

Glories  ;  for  never  since  created  man, 

Met  such  embodied  force,  as,  named  with  these, 

Could  merit  more  than  that  small  infantry 

Warred  on  by  cranes  ;  though  all  the  giant  brood 

Of  Phlegra  with  the  heroic  race  were  joined 

That  fought  at  Thebes  and  Ilium,  on  each  side 

Mixed  Avith  auxiliar  gods  ;  and  what  resounds 

In  fable  or  romance  of  Utber's  son 

Begirt  with  British  and  Armoric  knights, 

And  all  who  since,  baptized  or  infidel, 

Jousted  in  Asjjramont  or  Montaiban, 

Damasco,  or  Morocco,  or  Trebisond, 

Or  whom  Biserta  sent  from  Afric  shore, 

When  Charleniain  with  all  his  peerage  fell 

By  P"'ontarabia.     Thus  far  these  beyond 

Compare  of  mortal  prowess,  yet  observed 

Their  dread  commander ;  he,  above  the  rest 

In  shape  and  gesture  proudly  eminent 

Stood  like  a  tower;  his  form  had  yet  not  lost 

All  its  original  brightness,  nor  appeared 

Less  than  archangel  ruined,  and  the  excess 

Of  glory  obscured  ;  as  when  the  sun  new  rises 

Looks  through  the  horizontal  misty  air, 

Shorn  of  his  beams,  or  from  behind  the  moon, 

In  dim  eclipse  disastrous  twilight  sheds 

On  half  the  nations,  and  with  fear  of  change 

Perplexes  monarchs.     Darkened  so,  yet  shone 

Above  them  all  the  archangel ;  but  his  face 

Deep  scars  of  thunder  had  entrenched,  and  car© 

Sat  on  his  faded  cheek,  but  under  brows 

Of  dauntless  courage,  and  considerate  pride 

Waiting  revenge ;  cruel  his  eyes,  but  cast 

Signs  of  remorse  and  passion  to  behold 

The  fellows  of  his  crime,  the  followers  rather 

(Far  other  once  beheld  in  bliss)  condemned 

For  ever  now  to  haA  c  their  lot  in  pain, 


PARADISE   LOST. 

Millions  of  spirits  for  his  fault  amerced 
Of  Heaven,  and  from  eternal  sjilendours  flung 
For  his  revolt  •,  yet  faithful  how  they  stood,  "^ 
Their  glory  wither'd  :  as  when  Heaven's  lire 
Hath  scathed  the  forest  oaks,  or  mountain  pines, 
AVith  singed  top  their  stately  growth,  though  bare, 
Stands  on  the  blasted  heath.     He  now  prepared 
To  speak  ;  whereat  their  doubled  ranks  they  bend 
From  win^  to  wing,  and  half  enclose  him  round 
With  all  his  peers  :  attention  held  them  mute. 
Thrice  he  essayed,  and  thrice,  in  spite  of  scorn, 
Tears,  such  as  angels  weep,  burst  forth  :  at  li.-t 
Words  interwove  with  sighs  found  out  their  w  :iv. 

"  O  myriads  of  immortal  spirits !     O  powfi  - 
Matchless  but  with  the  Almighty;  and  that  mi  ,fo 
Was  not  inglorious,  though  tlie  event  was  dire, 
As  this  place  testifies,  and  tliis  dire  change, 
Hateful  to  utter  :  but  what  power  of  mind 
P'oreseeing  or  presaging,  from  the  dcjUh 
Of  knowledge  past  or  present,  coulrl  have  fe:in-<l. 
How  such  united  force  of  gods,  how  such 
As  stood  like  these,  could  ever  knoAv  repidse? 
For  Avho  can  yet  believe,  though  after  loss, 
That  all  these  puissant  legions,  whose  exile 
Hath  em])ticd  Heaven,  sh'all  fail  to  ren^cend 
Self-raised,  and  repossess  their  native  seat? 
For  me,  be  witness  all  the  host  of  Heaven, 
If  counsels  different,  or  dangers  shunned 
By  me,  have  lost  our  hopes.     But  He  who  reigns 
Monarch  in  Heaven,  till  then  as  one  secure 
Sat  on  his  throne,  upheld  by  old  repute, 
Consent  or  custom,  and  his  regal  state 
Put  forth  at  full,  but  still  his  strength  concealed, 
Which  tempted  our  attempt,  and  wrought  our  fall. 
Henceforth  his  might  we  know,  and  know  nm-  owQ; 
So  as  not  either  to  provoke,  or  dru:iil 
New  war,  provoked;  our  better  j>art  ;.  ii,.ii:iu 
To  work  in  close  design,  by  fraud  or  ijuilc, 
What  force  affected  n"ot:  that  he  no  less 
At  length  from  us  may  find,  who  overcuniL':' 


32  PARADISE    LOST. 

T>y  force,  hath  overcome  but  half  his  foe. 
Space  may  produce  new  worlds  ;  whereof  to  rise 
There  went  a  fame  in  Heaven  that  he  ere  long 
Intended  to  create,  and  therein  ])lant 
A  generation,  whom  his  choice  regard 
Should  favor  equal  to  the  sons  of  Heaven : 
Thither,  if  but  to  pry,  shall  be  perhaps 
Our  first  eruption  :  thither  or  elsewhei'c  ; 
For  this  infernal  pit  shall  never  hold 
Celestial  s])irits  in  bondage,  nor  the  abyss 
Long  under  darkness  cover.     But  these  thoughts 
Full  counsel  must  mature  ;  peace  is  despaired. 
For  who  can  think  submission  ?     War,  then,  war, 
Open  or  understood,  must  be  resolved." 

He  spake ;  and  to  confirm  his  words,  outflew 
Millions  of  flaming  swords,  drawn  from  the  thiglis 
Of  mighty  cherubim  ;  the  sudden  blaze 
Far  round  illumined  Hell ;  highly  tliey  raged 
Against  the  highest,  and  fierce  with  grasped  arms 
Clashed  on  their  sounding  shields  the  din  of  war, 
Hurlins:  defiance  toward  tlie  vault  of  Heaven. 

There  stood  a  hill  not  far,  Avhose  grisly  top 
Belched  fire  and  rolling  smoke;  the  rest  entire 
Shone  with  a  glossy  scurf,  undoubted  sign 
That  in  his  womb  Avas  hid  metallic  ore, 
The  work  of  sulphur.     Thither,  winged  with  speed, 
A  numerous  brigade  hastened  :  as  Avhen  bands 
Of  pioneers  Avith  spade  and  pickaxe  armed 
Forerun  the  royal  camp,  to  trench  a  field, 
Or  cast  a  rampart.     Mammon  led  them  on, 
Mammon,  the  least  erected  spirit  that  fell 
From  Heaven,  or  even  in  Heaven  his  looks  and  tliouglits 
Were  always  downward  bent,  admiring  more 
Tlje  riches  of  Heaven's  ])avement,  trodden  gold. 
Than  aught,  divine  or  holy,  else  enjoyed 
In  vision  beatific  :  by  him  first 
Men  also,  and  by  his  suggestion  tauglit, 
J-iansacked  the  centre,  and  with  impious  liands 
Rifled  the  bowels  of  their  mother  earth 
For  treasures  better  hid.     Soon  had  his  crew 


PABADISK    LOST.  35 

Opened  into  the  hill  a  spacious  wound, 
And  digged  out  ribs  of  gold.     Let  none  admii-e 
That  riches  grow  in  Hell;  tliat  soil  may  Ix'st 
Deserve  the  precious  bane.     And  liere  let  those, 
WIio  boast  in  mortal  things,  and  wondering  tell 
Of  Babel  and  the  works  of  Memphian  kings, 
]jearn  how  their  greatest  monuments  of  fame 
And  strength  and  art  are  easily  outdone 
By  spirits  reprobate,  and  in  an  hour 
What  in  an  age  they  with  incessant  toil 
And  hands  innumerable  scarce  perform. 
Nigh  on  the  plain  in  many  cells  prepared, 
That  underneath  had  veins  of  liquid  fire 
Sluiced  from  the  lake,  a  second  multitude 
With  wondrous  art  founded  the  massy  ore. 
Severing  each  kind,  and  scummed  the  bullion  dross  : 
A  third  as  soon  had  formed  within  the  ground 
A  various  mould,  and  from  the  boiling  cells 
By  strange  conveyance  filled  each  hollow  nook, 
As  in  an  organ  from  one  blast  of  wind 
To  many  a  row  of  j)ipes  the  sound-board  breathes. 
Anon  out  of  the  earth  a  fabric  huge 
Rose  like  an  exhalation,  with  the  sound 
Of  dulcet  symphonies  and  voices  sweet. 
Built  like  a  tem]>le,  where  pilasters  round 
Were  set,  and  Doric  pillars  overlaid 
With  golden  architrave ;  nor  did  there  want 
Cornice  or  frieze,  with  bossy  sculptures  graven  ; 
The  roof  was  fretted  gold.     Not  ]>abvlon 
Nor  great  Alcairo  such  magnificence 
Equalled  in  all  their  glories,  to  inshrine 
Belus  or  Serapis  their  gods,  or  seat 
Their  kings,  when  Egypt  with  Assyria  strove 
In  wealth  and  luxury.     The  ascending  pile 
Stood  fixed  her  stately  height,  and  straight  the  doors 
Opening  their  brazen  folds  discover  wide 
Within,  her  ample  spaces,  o'er  the  smooth 
And  level  pavement :  from  the  arched  roof, 
Pendent  by  subtle  magic  many  a  row 
Of  starry  lamps  and  blazing  cressets  fed 

3 


34  PARADISE    LOST, 

Willi  naphtha  and  asphaltus  yielded  light 

As  from  a  sky.     The  hasty  nuiltitj;de 

Admiring  entered  ;  and  the  work  some  praise, 

And  some  the  architect :  his  hand  was  known 

In  heaven  by  many  a  towered  structure  high, 

Where  sceptred  angels  held  their  residence, 

And  sat  as  princes,  Avhom  the  Supreme  King 

Exalted  to  such  power,  and  gave  to  rule, 

Each  in  his  hierarchy,  the  orders  bright. 

Nor  was  his  name  unheard  or  unadored. 

In  ancient  Greece;  and  in  Ausonian  land 

Wen  called  him  Mulciber ;  and  how  he  fell 

From  Heaven,  they  fabled,  thrown  by  angry  Jovo 

Sheer  o'er  the  crystal  battlements  ;  from  morn 

To  noon  he  fell,  from  noon  to  doM'y  eve, 

A  summer's  day  ;  and  with  the  setting  sun 

Dropped  from  the  zenith  like  a  falling  star, 

On  Lemnos  the  ^gean  isle  ;  thus  they  relate. 

Erring ;  for  he  with  this  rebellious  rout 

Fell  long  before  ;  nor  aught  availed  him  now 

To  have  built  in  Heaven  high  towers ;  nor  did  he  *scape 

By  all  his  engines,  but  was  headlong  sent 

With  his  industrious  crew  to  build  in  Hell. 

Meanwhile  the  winged  heralds  by  command 
Of  sovereign  power,  with  awful  ceremony 
And  trumpet's  sound  throughout  the  host  proclaim. 
A  solemn  council  forthwith  to  be  held 
At  Pandemonium,  the  high  capital 
Of  Satan  and  his  peers  :  their  summons  called 
From  every  band  and  squared  regiment 
By  place  or  choice  the  worthiest ;  they  anon 
With  hundreds  and  with  thousands  trooping  came 
Attended  :  all  excess  was  thronged  ;  the  gates 
And  porches  wide,  but  chief  the  spacious  hall 
(Though  like  a  covered  field,  Avhere  champions  bold 
Wont  ride  in  armed,  and  at  the  Soldau's  chair 
Defied  the  best  of  Panim  cliivalry 
To  mortal  combat,  or  career  with  lance). 
Thick  swarm'd,  both  on  the  ground  and  in  the  air 
Brushed  with  the  hiss  of  rustlincr  wings.     As  bees 


PARADISE    LOST-  35 

In  Spring  time,  when  the  suu  with  Taurus  rides, 

Pour  forth  their  jiopulous  youth  about  the  hive 

In  cUisters  ;  they  among  fresh  clews  and  flowers 

Fly  to  and  fro,  or  on  the  smoothed  plank, 

The  suburb  of  their  straw-built  citadel, 

New  rubbed  with  balm,  expatiate  and  confer 

Their  state  affairs.     So  thick  the  airy  crowd 

Swarm'd  and  were  straitened  ;  till,  the  signal  given, 

JJehold  a  wonder !  they  but  now  who  seemed 

In  bigness  to  surpass  earth's  giant  sons 

Now  less  than  smallest  dwarfs,  in  narrow  room 

Throng  numberless,  like  that  pygmean  race 

Beyond  the  Indian  mount,  or  fairy  elves, 

Whose  midnight  revels  by  a  forest  side 

Or  f(juntain  some  belated  peasant  sees. 

Or  dreams  he  sees,  while  overhead  the  moon 

Sits  arbitress,  and  nearer  to  the  earth 

Wheels  her  pale  course  ;  they,  on  their  mirth  and  dance 

Intent,  with  jocund  music  charm  his  ear; 

At  once  with  joy  and  fear  his  heart  rebounds. 

Thus  incorporeal  spirits  to  smallest  forms 

Reduced  their  shapes  immense,  and  were  at  large, 

Though  Avithout  number  still  amidst  the  hall 

Of  that  infernal  court.     But  far  within, 

And  in  their  own  dimensions  like  themselves, 

The  great  seraphic  lords  and  cherubim 

In  close  recess  and  secret  conclave  sat ; 

A  thousand  derai  gods  on  golden  seats 

Frequent  and  full.     After  short  silence  then. 

And  summons  read,  the  great  consult  began. 


86  PARADISE    LOST. 


BOOK  n. 

THE    ARGUMENT. 

The  consultation  begtin,  Satan  debates  whether  another  battle  be  to  be 
hazarded  for  the  recovery  of  Heaven  :  some  advise  it,  others  dissuade :  a 
third  proposal  is  preferred,  mentioned  before  by  Satan,  to  search  the 
truth  of  that  prophecy  or  tradition  in  Heaven  concerning  another  world, 
and  another  kind  of  creature  equal  or  not  much  inferior  to  themselves, 
about  this  time  to  be  created  :  their  doubt  who  should  be  sent  on  this 
difficult  search.  Satan  their  chief  undertalies  alone  tlie  voyage,  is 
honoured  and  applauded.  The  council  thus  ended,  the  rest  betake  tliein 
several  ways,  and  to  several  employments,  as  their  inclinations  lead 
them,  to  enterUiin  tlie  time  till  Satan  return.  He  passes  on  his  journey 
to  Hell-gates:  finds  tliem  shut,  and  who  sat  there  to  guard  tlieni,  by 
Tvhom  at  length  they  are  opened,  and  discover  to  him  the  great  gulf 
between  Hell  .and  Heaven  ;  with  what  difficulty  he  passes  through, 
directed  by  Chaos,  the  power  of  that  place,  to  tlie  sight  of  this  new  world 
which  he  sought. 

HiGn  on  a  throne  of  a  royal  state,  which  far 

Outshone  the  wealth  of  Ormus  and  of  Ind, 

Or  where  the  gorgeous  East,  with  richest  hand, 

Showers  on  her  kings  barbaric  pearl  and  gold, 

Satan  exalted  sat,  by  merit  raised 

To  that  bad  eminence  :  and  from  desjjair 

Thus  high  uplifted  beyond  hope,  aspires 

Beyond  thus  high,  insatiate  to  pursue 

Vain  war  with  heaven,  and,  by  success  untaught 

His  proud  imaginations  thus  display'd  : 

"  Powers  and  dominions,  deities  of  heaven 
For  since  no  deep  Avithin  her  gulf  can  hold 
Immortal  vigour,  though  oppressed  and  fallen, 
I  give  not  heaven  for  lost.     From  this  descent 
Celestial  virtues  rising,  Avill  a])pear 
More  glorious  and  more  dread  than  from  no  fall, 
And  trust  themselves  to  fear  no  second  fate. 


PARADISE    LOST.  '67 

Me,  though  just  right,  and  the  fix'd  laws  of  Heaven, 

Did  first  create  your  leader,  next,  free  choice, 

With  what  besides,  in  (counsel  or  in  figlit, 

Ilath  been  achieved  of  merit,  yet  this  loss, 

Tluis  far  at  least  recover'd,  liath  much  more 

Establish'd  in  a  safe  unenvied  throne 

Yielded  with  full  consent.     The  happier  state 

In  Heaven,  which  follows  dignity,  might  draw 

Envy  from  each  inferior;  but  who  here 

Will  envy  whom  the  highest  place  exposes 

Foremost  to  stand  against  the  Thunderer's  aim 

Your  bulwark,  and  condemns  to  greatest  share 

Of  endless  pain  ?     Where  there  is  then  no  good 

For  which  to  strive,  no  strife  can  grow  up  there 

From  faction  ;  for  none  sure  will  claim  in  Hell 

Precedence  ;  none,  whose  portion  is  so  small 

Of  preseiit  pain,  that  with  ambitious  mind 

Will  covet  more.     With  this  advantage  then 

To  union,  and  firm  faith,  and  firm  accord, 

More  than  can  be  in  heaven,  we  now  return 

To  claim  our  just  inheritance  of  old, 

Surer  to  prosper  than  prosperity 

Could  have  assured  us  ;  and,  by  what  best  way. 

Whether  of  open  war,  or  covert  guile. 

We  now  debate:  wlio  can  advise,  may  speak." 

He  ceased  ;  and  next  him  Moloch,  sceptred  king 
Stood  up,  the  strongest  and  the  fiercest  spirit, 
That  fought  in  Heaven,  now  fiercer  by  despair : 
His  trust  was  with  the  Eternal  to  be  deem'd 
Equal  in  strength,  and  rather  than  be  less 
Cared  not  to  be  at  all  ;  M'ith  that  care  lost 
Went  all  liis  fear  :  of  God,  or  Hell,  or  worse, 
He  reck'd  not,  and  these  Avords  thereaftei-  s|iake. 

"  My  sentence  is  for  open  war  :  of  wiles, 
More  inexpert,  I  boast  not :  them  let  those 
Contrive  who  need,  or  when  they  need,  not  now. 
For,  Avhile  they  sit  contriving,  shall  the  rest, 
Millions  that  stand  in  arms,  and  longing  wait 
The  signal  to  ascend,  sit  lingering  here 
Heaven's  fugitives,  and  for  their  dwelling-place 


88 


PARADISE    LOST, 


Accept  this  dark  opprobrious  den  of  shame, 

The  prison  of  his  tyi'anny,  who  reigns 

By  our  delay?     No  !  let  us  rather  choose, 

Arm'd  with  TIcH's  flames  and  fury,  all  at  once, 

O'er  Heaven's  high  towers  to  force  resistless  way 

Turning  our  tortures  into  horrid  arms 

Against  the  torturer ;  when,  to  meet  the  noise 

Of  his  almighty  engine  he  shall  hear 

Infernal  thunder,  and  for  lightning  see 

Black  fire  and  horror  shot  with  equal  rage 

Among  his  angels  ;  and  his  throne  itself, 

Mix'd  with  Tartarean  sulphur,  and  strange  lire, 

His  own  invented  torments.     But  perhaps, 

The  way  seems  difficult  and  steep  to  scale 

With  upright  wing  against  a  higher  foe. 

Let  such  bethink  them,  if  the  sleepy  drench 

Of  that  forgetful  lake  benumn  not  still. 

That  in  our  j^roper  motion  we  ascend 

Up  to  our  native  seat :  descent  and  fall 

To  us  is  adverse.     Who  but  felt  of  late, 

When  the  fierce  foe  hung  on  our  broken  rear 

Insulting,  and  pursued  us  through  the  deep, 

With  what  compulsion  and  laborious  flight 

We  sunk  thus  low  ?     The  ascent  is  easy  then  ; 

The  event  is  fear'd:  should  we  again  provoke 

Our  stronger,  some  worse  way  his  wrath  may  find 

To  our  destruction  ;  if  there  be  in  hell 

Fear  to  be  worse  desti-oyed :  what  can  be  worse 

Than  to  dwell  here,  driven  out  from  bliss,  condemn'd 

In  this  abhorred  deep  to  utter  woe  ; 

Where  pain  of  unextinguishable  fire 

Must  exercise  us  without  hope  of  end. 

The  vassals  of  his  anger,  when  the  scourge 

Inexorable,  and  the  torturing  hour, 

Calls  us  to  penance?  more  destroy'd  than  thus. 

We  should  be  quite  abolish'd  and  expire. 

What  fear  we,  then?  wliat  doubt  we  to  incense 

His  utmost  ire?  which,  to  the  height  enraged, 

Will  either  quite  consume  us,  and  reduce 

To  nothing  this  essential  (happier  far 


PARADISE    LOST.  iJB 

Than  miserable  to  have  eternal  being) : 
Or,  if  our  substance  be  indeed  divine, 
And  cannot  cease  to  be,  we  are  at  worst 
On  this  side  nothing ;  and  by  proof  we  feel 
Onr  power  sufficient  to  disturb  his  heaven, 
And  with  perpetual  inroads  to  alarm, 
Though  inaccessible,  his  fatal  throne : 
Which,  if  not  victory,  is  yet  revenge." 

He  ended,  frowning,  and  his  look  denounced 
Desperate  revenge,  and  battle  dangerous 
To  less  than  gods.     On  the  other  side  uprose 
Belial,  in  act  more  graceful  and  humane ; 
A  fairer  person  lost  not  Heaven  ;  he  seem'd 
For  dignity  comj^osed,  and  high  exploit : 
But  all  was  false  and  hollow  ;  thouo-h  his  tousfue 
Dropp  d  manna,  and  could  make  the  worst  appear 
The  better  reason,  to  perplex  and  dash 
Maturest  counsels ;  for  his  thoughts  were  low ; 
To  vice  industrious,  but  to  nobler  deeds 
Timorous  and  slothful ;  yet  he  pleased  the  ear. 
And  with  persuasive  accent  thus  began  : 

"I  should  be  much  for  open  war,  O  peers, 
As  not  behind  in  hate  ;  if  what  was  ui-ged 
Main  reason  to  persuade  immediate  Avar, 
Did  not  dissuade  me  most,  and  seem  to  cast 
Ominous  conjecture  on  the  whole  success  ; 
When  he,  who  most  excels  in  fact  of  arms. 
In  what  he  counsels,  and  in  what  excels 
Mistrustful,  grounds  his  courage  on  despair 
And  utter  dissolution,  as  the  scope 
Of  all  his  aim,  after  some  dire  revenge. 
First,  what  revenge  ?     The  towers  of  heaven  are  fill'd 
With  armed  Avatch,  that  render  all  access 
Impregnable  ;  oft  on  the  boi-dering  deep 
Encamp  tlieir  legions,  or,  Avith  obscure  Aving 
Scout  far  and  wide  into  the  realm  of  night. 
Scorning  surprise.     Or  could  Ave  break  our  way 
By  force,  and  at  our  heels  all  Hell  should  rise 
With  blackest  insurrection,  to  confound 
Heaven's  purest  light ;  yet  our  great  enemy 


40  PARAPIRK    LOST. 

All  incorruptible  would  on  his  throne 

Sit  tinjiolluteil,  and  the  ethereal  mould, 

Incai)able  of  stain  would  soon  expel 

Her  mischief,  and  purge  off  the  baser  fire 

Victorious.     Thus  rej>ulsed,  our  final  hope 

Is  flat  despair ;  we  must  exasperate 

The  Almighty  Victor  to  spend  all  ITis  rage, 

And  that  must  end  us  ;  that  must  be  our  cure, 

To  be  no  more.     Sad  cure  !  for  who  would  lose, 

Though  full  of  pain,  this  intellectual  being. 

Those  thoughts  that  wander  through  eternity. 

To  perish  rather,  swallow'd  up  and  lost 

In  the  wide  womb  of  uncreated  night, 

Devoid  of  sense  and  motion  ?     And  who  knows, 

Let  this  be  good,  Avhether  our  angry  foe 

Can  give  it,  or  will  ever?  how  he  can, 

Is  doubtful :  that  he  never  Avill,  is  sure. 

Will  he,  so  wise,  let  loose  at  once  his  ire, 

Belike  through  impotence,  or  unaware. 

To  give  his  enemies  their  Avish,  and  end 

Them  in  his  anger,  whom  his  anger  saves 

To  ])unish  endless?     Wherefore  cease  we  then? 

Say  they  who  counsel  war :  we  are  decreed, 

Reserved,  and  destined  to  eternal  woe ; 

Whatever  doing,  what  can  we  suffer  more. 

What  can  we  suft'er  worse  ?     Is  this  then  worst. 

Thus  fitting,  thus  consulting,  thus  in  arms  ? 

What  when  we  fled  amain,  pursued  and  struck 

With  Heaven's  afilicting  thunder,  and  besought 

The  deep  to  shelter  us  ?     This  Hell  then  seein'd 

A  refuge  from  those  w^ounds  :  or  when  we  lay 

Chain'd  on  the  burnincc  lake?     That  sure  was  worse. 

What  if  the  breath  that  kindled  those  grim  fires, 

Awaked  should  blow  them  into  sevenfold  rage, 

And  plunge  us  in  the  flames  ?  or,  from  above, 

Should  intermitted  vengeance  arm  again 

His  red  right  hand  to  ])lague  us  ?    what  if  all 

Her  stores  were  open'd,  and  this  firmament 

Of  Hell  should  spout  her  cataracts  of  fire, 

Impendent  horrors,  threatening  hideous  fall 


PARADISE    LOST.  41 

One  <lay  upon  our  heads  ;  while  we,  perhaps, 

Designing  or  exhorting  glorious  war, 

Caught  in  a  fiery  tempest,  shall  be  hurl'd 

Each  on  his  rock  transfix'd,  the  sport  and  prey 

Of  racking  whirlwinds :  or  for  ever  sunk 

Under  yon  boiling  ocean,  wrapp'd  in  chains; 

There  to  converse  with  everlnsting  groans, 

Unrcs])itcd,  un]>itied,  unreprieved. 

Ages  of  hopeless  end  ?  this  would  be  worse. 

War,  therefore,  open  or  concealed  alike 

IMy  voice  dissuades ;  for  what  can  force  or  guile 

With  him,  or  who  deceive  his  mind,  whose  eye 

Views  all  things  at  one  view  ?    He  from  Heaven's  height 

All  these  our  motions  vain  sees  and  derides  ; 

Not  more  almighty  to  resist  our  might 

Than  wise  to  frustrate  all  our  plots  and  wiles. 

Shall  we  then  live  thus  vile,  the  race  of  Heaven 

Thus  trampled,  thus  expelled  to  suffer  here 

Chains  and  these  torments?     Better  these  than  worse 

By  my  advice ;  since  fate  inevitable 

Subdues  us,  and  omnipotent  decree. 

The  Victor's  will.     To  suffer,  as  to  do, 

Our  strength  is  equal,  nor  the  law  unjust  • 

That  so  ordains  :  this  was  at  first  resolved 

If  we  were  wise,  against  so  great  a  foe 

Contending,  and  so  doubtful  what  might  fall. 

I  laugh,  when  those  who  at  the  spear  are  bold 

And  venturous,  if  that  fail  them,  shrink  and  fear 

Wliat  yet  they  know  must  follow,  to  endure 

Exile,  or  ignominy,  or  bonds,  or  pain. 

The  sentence  of  their  conqueror;  this  is  now 

Our  doom  ;  Avhicli  if  we  can  sustain  and  l>ear, 

Our  supreme  foe  in  time  may  much  remit 

His  anger;  and  perhaps  thus  far  removed 

Not  mind  us  not  offending,  satisfied 

With  what  is  punished  ;  whence  these  raging  fires 

Will  slacken,  if  his  breath  stir  not  their  flames. 

Our  purer  essence  then  will  overcome 

I'lieir  noxious  vapour  ;  or  inured  not  feel ; 

Or,  changed  at  length  and  to  the  place  conform'd 


42  PARADISE    LOST. 

In  temper  and  in  nature,  will  receive 

Familiar  the  fierce  heat,  and  void  of  pain ; 

This  horror  will  grow  mild,  this  darkness  light ; 

Besides  what  hope  the  never-ending  flight 

Of  future  days  may  bring,  what  chance,  what  change 

"Worth  waiting,  since  our  present  lot  appears 

For  happy  though  but  ill,  for  ill  not  worst, 

If  we  procure  not  to  ourselves  more  woe." 

Thus  Belial,  with  words  clothed  in  reason's  garb, 
Counseled  ignoble  ease,  and  peaceful  sloth, 
Not  peace  :  And  after  him  thus  Mammon  sitake. 

"Either  to  disenthrone  the  King  of  Heaven 
We  war,  if  war  be  best,  or  to  regain 
Our  own  right  lost:  him  to  unthrone  we  then 
May  hope,  when  everlasting  Fate  shall  yield 
To  fickle  Chance,  and  Chaos  judge  the  strife  : 
The  former  A'ain  to  hope  argues  as  ^-ain 
The  latter :  for  wliat  place  can  be  for  us 
Within  Heaven's  bound,  unless  Heaven's  Lord  supreme 
We  overpower  ?     Suppose  he  should  relent, 
And  publish  grace  to  all  on  promise  made 
Of  new  subjection  ;  with  what  eyes  could  we 
Stand  in  his  presence  humble,  and  receive 
Strict  laws  imposed,  to  celebrate  his  throne 
With  warbled  hymns,  and  to  his  Godhead  sing 
Forced  hallelujahs ;  while  he  lordly  sits 
Our  envied  sovereign,  and  his  altar  breathes 
Ambrosial  odours  and  ambrosial  flowers, 
Our  Servile  offerings  ?     This  must  be  our  task 
In  Heaven,  this  our  delight ;  how  wearisome 
Eternity  so  spent  in  worship  paid 
To  whom  we  hate !     Let  us  not  then  pursue 
By  force  impossible,  by  leave  obtained 
L"nacce})table,  though  in  Heaven,  our  state 
Of  splendid  vassalage  ;  but  rather  seek 
Our  own  good  from  ourselves,  and  from  our  own 
Live  to  ourselves,  though  in  this  vast  recess, 
Free,  and  to  none  accountable,  preferring 
Hard  liberty  before  the  easy  yoke 
Of  servile  pomp.     Our  greatness  will  appear 


PARADISE    LOST,  43 

Then  moat  conspicuous,  when  great  things  of  small, 

Useful  of  hurtful,  prosperous  of  adverse 

We  can  create  ;  and  in  what  place  soe'er 

Thrive  under  evil,  and  work  ease  out  of  pain 

Through  labour  and  endurance.     This  deep  world 

Of  darkness  do  we  dread  ?     How  oft  amidst 

Thick  clouds  and  dark  doth  heaven's  all-ruling  Sire 

Choose  to  reside,  his  glory  unobscured, 

And  with  the  majesty  of  darkness  round 

Covers  his  throne ;  from  whence  deep  thunders  roar 

Mustering  their  rage,  and  Heaven  resembles  Hell  ? 

As  he  our  darkness,  cannot  we  his  light 

Imitate  when  we  please  ?     This  desert  soil 

Wants  not  her  hidden  lustre,  gems  and  gold ; 

Nor  want  we  skill  or  art,  from  whence  to  raise 

Magnificence  ;  and  what  can  heaven  show  more? 

Our  torments  also  may  in  length  of  time 

Become  our  elements ;  these  piercing  fires 

As  soft  as  now  severe,  our  temper  changed 

Into  their  temper  ;  which  must  needs  remove 

The  sensible  of  pain.     All  things  invite 

To  penceful  counsels,  and  the  settled  state 

Of  order,  how  in  safety  best  we  may 

Compose  our  present  evils,  with  regard 

Of  what  we  are,  and  where,  dismissing  quite 

All  thoughts  of  war.     Ye  have  what  I  advise." 

^He  scarce  had  finished,  when  such  murmur  till'd 

The  assembly,  as  when  hollow  rocks  retain 

The  sound  of  blustering  winds,  which  all  night  long 

Had  roused  the  sea,  now  with  hoarse  cadence  lull 

Seafaring  men  o'erwatch'd,  whose  bark  by  chance 

Or  pinnace  anchoi-s  in  a  craggy  bay 

After  the  tempest^such  a])plause  was  heard 

As  Mammon  ended,  and  his  sentence  pleased, 

Advising  peace ;  for  such  another  field 

They  dreaded  worse  than  Hell :  so  much  the  fear 

Of  thunder  and  the  sword  of  Michael 

Wrought  still  within  tliem  ;  and  no  less  desire 

To  found  this  nether  empire,  which  might  rise 

By  policy,  and  long  process  of  time, 


+ 


J4  PARADISE    LOST. 

In  (Mnulation  opposite  to  Heaven. 

Which  when  Beelzebub  perceived,  than  whom 

Satan  except,  none  higher  sat,  with  grave 

Aspect  he  rose,  and  in  his  rising  seem'd 

A  ])illar  of  state  ;  deep  on  his  front  engraven 

Deliberation  sat,  and  public  care  ; 

And  princely  counsel  in  his  face  yet  shone, 

Majestic,  though  in  ruin  ;  sage  he  stood 

With  Atlantean  shoulders  fit  to  bear 

The  weight  of  mightiest  monarchies ;  his  look 

Drew  audience  and  attention  still  as  night 

Or  summer's  noontide  air,  while  thus  he  spake  : 

"  Thi-ones,  and  imperial  powers,  offspring  of  Heaven, 
Ethereal  virtues !  or  these  titles  now 
Must  we  renounce,  and,  changing  style,  be  called 
Princes  of  hell  ?  for  so  the  popular  vote 
Inclines,  here  to  continue,  aiad  build  up  here 
A  growing  empire;  doubtless;  while  we  dream, 
And  know  not  that  the  King  of  Heaven  hath  doomed 
This  place  our  dungeon,  not  our  safe  retreat 
Beyond  his  potent  arm,  to  live  exempt 
From  Heaven's  high  jurisdiction,  in  new  league 
Banded  against  his  throne,  but  to  remain 
In  strictest  bondage,  though  thus  far  removed 
Under  the  inevital)le  curb,  reserved 
His  captive  multitude  ;  for  he,  be  sure, 
In  height  or  depth,  still  first  and  last  will  reign 
Sole  king,  and  of  his  kingdom  lose  no  part 
By  our  revolt  ;  but  over  Hell  extend 
His  empire,  and  with  iron  sceptre  rule 
.TJs  here,  as  with  his  golden  those  in  Heaven. 
What  sit  we  then  projecting  peace  and  Avar  ? 
War  hath  determined  us,  and  foiled  with  loss 
In-e])arable;  terms  of  peace  yet  none 
Vouchsafed  or  sought ;  for  what  peace  will  be  given 
To  us  enslaved,  but  custody  severe, 
And  stripes,  and  arbitrary  punishment 
Inflicted  ?  and  what  jx'ace  can  we  return, 
But  to  our  power  hostility  and  liate, 
Untamed  rchictance,  and  revenge  though  slow, 


I'AUADISK    LOST.  46 

Yet  ever  plotting  how  the  Conqueror  least 

May  reap  his  conquest,  and  may  least  rejoice 

In  doing  what  we  most  in  suffering  feel  ? 

Nor  will  occasion  want,  nor  shall  we  need 

With  dangerous  expedition  to  invade 

Heaven,  whose  high  walls  fear  no  assault  or  siege, 

Or  ambush  from  the  deep.     What  if  we  find 

Some  easier  enterprise  ?     There  is  a  place 

(If  ancient  and  ])rophetic  fame  in  Heaven 

Err  not),  another  M^orld,  the  happy  seat 

Of  some  new  race,  calPd  Man,  about  this  time 

To  be  created  like  to  us,  though  less 

In  power  and  excellence,  but  favour'd  more 

Of  him  who  rules  above ;  so  was  his  will 

Pronounced  among  the  gods,  and  by  an  oath. 

That  shook  Heaven's  whole  circumference,  confirm'd. 

Thither  let  us  bend  all  our  thoughts,  to  learn 

What  creatures  there  inhabit,  of  what  mould 

Or  substance,  how  endued,  and  what  their  power, 

And  where  their  weakness,  how  attempted  best, 

By  force  or  subtlety.     Though  Heaven  be  shut, 

And  Heaven's  high  arbitrator  sit  secure 

In  his  own  strength,  this  place  may  lie  exposed, 

The  utmost  border  of  his  king-dom,  left 

To  their  defence  who  hold  it  :  here,  perhaps, 

Some  advantageous  act  may  be  achieved 

By  sudden  onset,  either  with  Hell-fire 

To  waste  his  whole  creation,  or  possess 

AH  as  our  own,  and  drive,  as  we  were  driven, 

The  puny  habitants ;  or  if  not  drive, 

Seduce  them  to  our  party,  that  their  God 

]\fay  prove  their  foe,  and  Avith  repenting  hand 

Abolish  his  own  Avorks.     This  would  surpass 

Common  revenge,  and  interrupt  his  joy 

In  our  confusion,  and  our  joy  upraise 

In  his  disturbance  ;  when  his  darling  sons, 

Hurled  headlong  to  partake  with  us,  shall  curse 

Their  frail  original,  and  faded  bliss, 

Faded  so  soon.     Advise,  if  this  be  worth 

Attempting,  or  to  sit  in  darkness  here 


46  PARADISE    LOST. 

Hatcliing  vain  empires."     Thus  Beelzebub 
Pleaded  his  devilish  counsel,  first  devised 
By  Satan,  and  in  part  proposed  ;  for  whence, 
But  from  the  author  of  all  ill,  could  spring 
So  deep  a  malice  to  confound  th^  race 
Of  mankmd  in  one  root,  and  earth  with  Hell 
To  mingle  and  involve,  done  all  to  spit'C 
The  great  Creator  ?     But  their  spite  still  serves 
His  glory  to  augment.     The  bold  design 
Pleased  highly  those  infernal  states,  and  joy 
Sparkled  in  all  their  eyes ;  with  full  assent 
They  vote  :  whereat  his  speech  he  thus  renews. 

"  Well  have  ye  judged,  well  ended  long  debate, 
Sjmod  of  gods !  and  like  to  what  ye  are, 
Great  things  resolved,  which  from  the  lowest  deep, 
Will  once  more  lift  us  up,  in  spite  of  fate. 
Nearer  our  ancient  seat ;  perhaps  in  view 
Of  those  bright  confines,  whence  with  neighbouring  arms 
And  opportune  excursions  we  may  chance 
Re-enter  Heaven  ;  or  else  in  some  mild  zone 
Dwell,  not  unvisited  of  Heaven's  fair  light. 
Secure,  and  at  the  brightening  orient  beam 
Purge  off  this  gloom  ;  the  soft  delicious  air, 
To  heal  the  scar  of  these  corrosive  fires, 
Shall  breath  her  balm.     But  first,  whom  shall  we  send 
In  search  of  this  new  world  ;  whom  shall  Ave  find 
Sufiicient?     Who  shall  tempt  with  wandering  feet 
The  dark,  unbottomed,  infinite  abyss, 
And  through  the  palpable  obscure  find  out 
His  uncouth  way,  or  spread  his  airy  flight. 
Upborne  with  indefatigable  wings. 
Over  the  vast  abru])t,  ere  he  arrive 
The  happy  isle  ?     What  strength,  what  art  can  then 
Suffice,  or  what  evasion  bear  him  safe 
Througli  the  strict  sentries  and  stations  thick 
Of  angels  watching  round  ?     Here  he  had  need 
All  circumspection,  and  we  now  no  less 
Choice  in  our  suffrage ;  for  on  whom  we  send, 
The  weight  of  all  and  our  last  hope,  relies." 

This  said,  he  sat ;  and  expectation  held 


PARADISE    LOST.  47 

His  look  suspense,  awaiting  who  appear'd 

To  second  or  o)>pose,  or  undertake 

The  perilous  attempt :  but  all  sat  mute, 

Pondering  the  danger  with  deep  thoughts  ;  and  each 

In  others'  countenance  read  his  own  dismay 

Astonish'd  :  none  among  the  choice  and  prime 

Of  those  heaven-warring  champions  could  be  found 

So  hardy  as  to  proffer  or  accept 

Alone  the  dreadful  A^oyage  ;  till  at  last 

Satan,  whom  now  transcendent  glory  raised 

Above  his  fellows,  with  monarchal  pride 

Conscious  of  highest  Avorth,  unmoved  thus  spake. 

"  O  ])rogeny  of  Heaven  !  empyreal  thrones  ! 
TVith  reason  hath  deep  silence  and  demur 
Seized  us,  though  undismayed  :  long  is  the  way 
And  hard,  that  out  of  Hell  leads  up  to  light ; 
Our  prison  strong ;  this  huge  convex  of  lire, 
Outrageous  to  devour,  immures  us  round 
Ninefold,  and  gates  of  burning  adamant, 
Barred  over  us  prohibit  all  egress. 
These  pass'd,  if  any  pass,  the  void  profound 
Of  unessential  night  receives  him  next 
Wide  gajiing,  and  Avith  utter  loss  of  being 
Threatens  him  plunged  in  that  abortive  gulf. 
If  thence  he  'scape  into  Avhatever  Avorld, 
Or  unknown  region,  Avhat  remains  him  less 
Than  unknown  dangers,  and  as  hard  escape? 
But  I  should  ill  become  this  throne,  O  peers, 
And  this  imperial  sovereignty,  adorned 
With  splendour,  arm'd  with  power,  if  aught  proposed 
And  judged  of  public  moment,  in  the  shape 
Of  difficulty  or  danger  could  deter 
Me  from  attempting.     Wherefore  do  I  assume 
These  royalties,  and  not  refuse  to  reign, 
Refusing  to  accept  as  great  a  share 
Of  hazard  as  of  honour,  due  alike 
To  liim  who  reigns,  and  so  much  to  hira  due 
Of  hazard  more,  as  he  al)ove  the  rest 
High  honour'd  sits  ?     Go,  therefore,  mighty  poAvers, 
Terror  of  Heaven,  though  fallen  ;  intend  at  home, 


48  PARADISE    LOST. 

While  here  shall  be  our  home,  what  best  raay  ease 

The  present  misery,  and  render  Hell 

More  tolerable  ;  if  there  be  cure  or  charm 

To  respite,  or  deceive,  or  slack  the  pain 

Of  this  ill-mansion  :  intermit  no  watch 

Against  a  wakeful  foe,  Avhile  I  abroad 

Through  all  the  coasts  of  dark  destruction  seek 

Deliverance  for  us  all :  this  enterprise 

None  shall  partake  with  me."     Thus  saying  rose 

The  monarch,  and  prevented  all  rej)ly, 

Prudent,  lest  from  his  resolution  raised 

Others  among  the  chief  might  offer  now 

(Certain  to  be  refused)  what  erst  they  fear'd ; 

And  so  refused  might  in  ojjinion  stand 

His  rivals,  winning  cheaji  the  high  repute 

Which  he  through  hazard  huge  must  earn.     But  they 

Dreaded  not  more  the  adventure  than  his  voice 

Forbidding  ;  and  at  once  with  him  they  rose  ; 

Their  rising  all  at  once  was  as  the  sound 

Of  thunder  heard  remote.     Towards  hira  they  bend 

With  awful  reverence  pi'bne  ;  and  as  a  god 

Extol  him  equal  to  the  Highest  in  Heaven. 

Nor  fail'd  they  to  express  how  much  they  praised, 

That  for  the  general  safety  he  des])ised 

His  own  ;  for  neither  do  the  spirits  damned 

Lose  all  their  virtue ;  lest  bad  men  should  boast 

Their  specious  deeds  on  earth,  which  glory  excites, 

Or  close  ambition  varnish'd  o'er  Avith  ^eal. 

Thus  they  their  doubtful  consultations  dark 

Ended  rejoicing  in  their  matchless  chief : 

As  when  from  mountain-tops  the  dusky  clouds 

Ascending,  while  the  north  wind  sleeps,  o'erspread 

Heaven's  cheerful  face,  the  lowering  element 

Scowls  o'er  the  darken'd  landskip  snow  or  shower; 

If  chance  the  radiant  sun  with  farewell  sweet 

Extend  his  evening  beam,  the  fields  revive, 

The  birds  their  notes  renew,  and  bleating  herds 

Attest  their  joy,  that  hill  and  valley  rings. 

O  shame  to  men!    devil  with  devildamned 

Firm  concord  holds,  men  only  disagree 


PARADISE    LOST.  49 

Of  creatures  rational,  though  under  hope 

Of  lieavenly  grace  ;  and,  God  jn-oclairaing  peaee. 

Yet  live  in  hatred,  enmity,  and  strife 

Among  themselves,  and  levy  crnel  wars, 

Wasting  the  earth,  each  other  to  destroy  : 

As  if  (which  might  induce  us  to  accord) 

Man  had  not  hellish  foes  enow  besides, 

That  day  and  night  for  his  destruction  wait. 

The  Stygian  council  thus  dissolved,  and  forth 
In  order  came  the  grand  infernal  peers : 
Midst  came  their  mighty  paramount,  and  seem'd 
Alone  the  antagonists  of  Heaven,  nor  less 
Than  Hell's  dread  emperor  with  pomp  supreme 
And  god-like  imitated  state ;  him  round 
A  globe  of  fiery  seraphim  enclosed 
With  bright  emblazonry  and  horrent  arms 
Then  of  their  session  ended  they  bid  cry 
With  trumpets  regal  sound  the  great  result  r 
Toward  the  four  winds  four  s])eedy  cherubim 
Put  to  their  mouths  the  sounding  alchemy. 
By  heralds'  voice  explained  ;  the  hollow  abyss 
Heard  far  and  -ivide,  and  all  the  host  of  Hell 
With  deafening  shout  returned  them  loud  acclaim. 
Thence  more  at  ease  their  minds,  and  somewhat  raised 
By  false  jn-csumptuous  hope,  the  ranged  powers 
Disband,  and  wandering,  each  his  several  way 
Pursues,  as  inclination  or  sad  choice 
Leads  him  perplex'd,  Avhere  he  may  likeliest  find 
Truce  to  his  restless  thoughts,  and  entertain 
The  irksome  hours,  till  his  great  chief  return. 
Part  on  the  plain,  or  in  the  air  sublime, 
Upon  the  Aving,  or  in  swift  race  contend. 
As  at  the  Olympian  games  or  Pythian  fields ; 
Part  curb  their  fiery  steeds,  or  shuTi  the  goal 
With  rapid  wheels,  or  fronted  brigades  form. 
As  when,  to  warn  jn-oud  cities,  war  aj^jiears 
Waged  in  the  troubled  sky,  and  armies  rush 
To  battle  in  the  clouds,  before  each  van 
Prick  forth  the  airy  knights,  and  couch  their  s])ear8 
Till  thickest  legions  close  ;  with  feats  of  arms 

4 


^   50  PARADISE    LOST< 

From  oither  end  of  lieaven  the  welkin  burns. 

Others  with  vast  Typhoean  rage,  more  fell, 

Rend  up  both  rocks  and  hills,  and  ride  the  air 

In  whirlwind  ;  Hell  scarce  holds  the  wild  uproar. 

As  when  Alcides,  from  Oechalia  crowned 

"With  conquest,  felt  the  envenomed  robe,  and  tore 

Through  pain  up  by  the  roots  Thessalian  pines, 

And  Lichas  from  the  top  of  Oeta  threw 

Into  th'  Euboic  sea.     Others  more  mild, 

Retreated  in  a  silent  valley,  sing 

With  notes  angelical  to  many  a  harp 

Their  own  heroic  deeds  and  hapless  fall 

By  doom  of  battle ;  and  complain  that  fate 

Free  virtue  should  enthral  to  force  or  chance. 

Their  song  was  partial,  but  the  harmony 

(What  could  it  less  when  spirits  immortal  sing  ?) 

Suspended  Hell,  and  took  with  ravishment 

The  throngino;  audience.     In  discourse  more  sweet 

(For  eloquence  the  soul,  song  charms  the  sense) 

Others  apart  sat  on  a  hill  retired. 

In  thoughts  more  elevate,  and  reason'd  high 

Of  providence,  foreknowledge,  will,  and  fate, 

Fix'd  fate,  free  will,  foreknowledge  absolute, 

And  found  no  end,  in  wandering  mazes  lost. 

Of  good  and  evil  much  they  argued  theu, 

Of  hai)piness  and  final  misery, 

Passion  and  apathy,  and  glory  and  shame. 

Vain  wisdom  all,  and  false  philosophy : 

Yet  with  a  i:)leasing  sorcery  could  charm 

Pain  for  a  while,  or  anguish,  and  excite 

Fallacious  hope,  or  arm  the  obdured  breast 

With  stubborn  patience  as  with  tri})le  steel. 

Another  part,  in  squadrons  and  gross  bands, 

On  bold  adventure  to  discover  wide 

That  dismal  Avorld,  if  any  clime  perhaps 

Might  yield  them  easier  habitation,  bend 

Four  ways  their  flying  march,  along  the  banks 

Of  four  infernal  rivers,  that  disgorge 

Into  the  burning  lake  their  baleful  streams ; 

Abhorred  Styx,  the  flood  of  deadly  hate; 


PARADISE    LOST.  51 

Sad  iVclieron,  of  sorrow,  black  and  deep, 

Cooytus,  named  of  lamentation  loud 

IleaVd  on  tl\e  rueful  steam  ;  fierce  Phlegethon, 

Whose  waves  of  torrent  fire  inflame  with  rage. 

Far  oft"  from  these  a  slow  and  silent  stream, 

Lethe,  the  river  of  oblivion,  rolls 

ITer  watery  labyrinth,  whereof  who  drinks, 

Forthwith  his  former  state  and  being  forgets, 

Forgets  both  joy  and  grief,  pleasure  and  pain. 

Beyond  this  flood  a  frozen  continent 

Lies  dark  and  wild,  beat  with  perpetual  storms 

Of  whirlwind  and  dire  liail,  which  on  firm  land 

Thaws  not,  but  gathers  heap,  and  ruin  seems 

Of  ancient  pile  ;  all  else  deep  snow  and  ice, 

A  gulf  ]n-ofound  as  that  Serbonian  bog 

Betwixt  Damiata  and  Mount  Casius  old, 

Where  armies  whole  liave  sunk  :  the  parching  air 

Burns  frore,  and  cold  performs  the  effect  of  fire. 

Thither,  by  harjiy-footed  furies  haled, 

At  certain  revolutions  all  the  damned 

Are  brougln ;  and  feel  by  turns  the  bitter  change 

Of  fierceextremes,  extremes  by  change  more  fierce  J 

From  beds  of  raging  fire  to  starve  in  ice 

Their  soft  ethereal  warmth,  and  there  to  pine 

Immoveable,  infixed,  and  frozen  round, 

Periods  of  time ;  thence  hurried  back  to  fire, 

They  ferry  over  this  Lethean  sound 

Both  to  and  fro,  their  sorrow  to  augment. 

And  wish  and  struggle,  as  they  pass,  to  reach 

The  tempting  stream,  with  one  small  drop  to  lose 

In  sweet  forgetfulness  all  pain  and  woe. 

All  in  one  moment,  and  so  near  the  brink ; 

But  fate  withstands,  and  to  oppose  the  attempt 

Medusa  with  Gorgonian  terror  guards 

Tlie  ford,  aud  of  itself  the  water  flies 

All  taste  of  living  wight^  as  once  it  fled. 

Tiie  lip  of  TantaTus.     Thus  roving  on 

In  confused  march  forlorn,  the  adventurous  bands 

With  shuddering  horror  pale,  and  eyes  aghast, 

Viewed  firat  theii;  liinientable  lot,  and  found 


52  PARADISE    LOST. 

No  rest ;  through  many  a  dark  aiul  dreary  vale 

They  passed,  and  many  a  region  dolorous, 

O'er  many  a  frozen,  many  a  liery  Alp, 

Ilocks,  caves,  lakes,  fens,  bogs,  dens,  and  shades  of  death, 

A  universe  of  death,  which  God  by  curse 

Created  evil,  for  evil  only  good, 

Where  all  life  dies,  death  lives,  and  nature  breeds, 

Perverse,  all  monstrous,  all  prodigious  things, 

Abominable,  unutterable,  and  worse 

Than  fables  yet  have  feigned,  or  fear  conceived, 

Gorgons,  and  Hydras,  and  Chimseras  dire. 
Meanwhile  the  adversary  of  God  and  man, 

Satan,  with  thoughts  inflamed  of  highest  design, 

Puts  on  swift  wings,  and  towards  the  gates  of  Hell 

Explores  his  solitary  flight :  sometimes 

He  scours  the  right  hand  coast,  sometimes  the  left; 

Now  shaves  with  level  wing  the  deep,  then  soars 

Up  to  the  fiery  concave  towering  high. 

As  when  far  off  at  sea  a  fleet  descried 

Hangs  in  the  clouds,  by  equinoctial  winds 

Close  sailing  from  Bengala,  or  the  isles 

Of  Ternate  and  Tidore,  whence  merchants  bring 

Their  spicy  drugs  ;  they  on  the  trading  flood 

Through  the  wide  Ethiopian  to  the  cape 

Ply  stemming  nightly  towards  the  pole.     So  seemed 

Far  off  the  flying  fiend  :  at  last  appear 

Hell  bounds,  high  reaching  to  the  horrid  roof. 

And  thrice  threefold  the  gates ;  threefolds  were  brass 

Three  iron,  three  of  adamantine  rock. 

Impenetrable,  impaled  with  circling  fire, 

Yet  unconsumed.     Before  the  gates  there  sat 

On  either  side  a  formidable  shape  ; 

The  one  seemed  woman  to  the  waist,  and  fair, 

But  ended  foul  in  many  a  scaly  fold 

Voluminous  and  vast,  a  serpent  armed 

With  mortal  sting:  about  her  middle  round 

A  cry  of  hell-hounds  never  ceasuig  barked 

With  wide  Cerberean  mouths  fuH)uud,  a^3,d  rung 

A  hideous  peal ;  yet,  Avheu  they  list,  would  creep, 

If  aught  dibtiirbed  their  noise,  into  her  uoml;,    ' 


PARADISE    LOST.  53 

And  kennel  there  ;  yet  there  still  barked  and  howled 

Within  unseen.     Far  less  abhorred  than  these 

Vexed  Scylla,  bathing  in  the  sea  that  parts 

Calabria  from  the  hoarse  Trinacrian  shore  : 

Nor  uglier  follow  the  night-hag,  when,  called 

In  secret,  riding  through  the  air  she  comes, 

Lured  with  the  smell  of  infant  blood,  to  dance 

With  Lapland  witches  while  the  labouring  moon 

Eclipses  at  their  charms.     The  other  shape, 

If  shape  it  might  be  called  that  shape  had  none 

Distinguishable  in  member,  joint,  or  limb, 

Or  substance  might  be  called  that  shadow  seemed, 

For  each  seemed  either  ;  black  it  stood  as  night, 

Fierce  as  ten  Furies,  terrible  as  Hell,  ■ 

And  shook  a  dreadful  dart ;  what  seemed  his  head 

The  likeness  of  a  kingly  crown  had  on. 

Satan  was  now  at  hand  ;  and  from  his  seat 

The  monster  moving  onward  came  as  fast 

With  horrid  strides ;  Hell  trembled  as  he  strode. 

The  undaunted  fiend  what  this  might  be  admired, 

Admired,  not  feared  ;  God  and  his  Son  except, 

Created  thincc  nou2rht  valued  he  nor  shunned; 

And  with  disdainful  look  thus  first  began  : 

"  Whence  and  what  art  thou,  execrable  shape, 
That  darest,  though  grim  and  terrible,  advance 
Thy  miscreated  front  athwart  my  way 
To  yonder  gates  ?     Through  them  I  mean  to  pass, 
That  be  assured,  without  leave  asked  of  thee  : 
Retire,  or  taste  thy  folly,  and  learn  by  proof, 
Hell-born,  not  to  contend  with  spirits  of  Heaven." 

To  whom  the  goblin  full  of  wrath  replied : 
"  Art  thou  that  traitor  angel,  art  thou  he, 
AVho  first  broke  peace  in  Heaven  and  faith,  till  than 
Unbroken,  and  in  proud  rebellious  arms 
Drew  after  him  the  third  part  of  Heaven's  sons, 
Conjtired  against  the  Highest ;  for  which  both  thou 
And  they,  outcast  from  God,  are  here  condemned 
To  waste  eternal  days  in  Avoe  and  ])ain  ? 
And  reckon'st  thou  thyself  with  spirits  of  Heaven, 
Hell-doomed,  uud  breuth'st  defiance  here  and  scorn. 


54  PARADISE    LOST. 

Where  I  reign  king,  and,  to  enrage  thee  more, 
Thy  king  and  lord  ?     Back  to  thy  punishment, 
False  fugitive,  and  to  thy  speed  add  wings, 
Lest  with  a  whip  of  scorpions  I  pursue 
Thy  lingering,  or  with  one  stroke  of  this  dart 
Strange  horror  seize  thee,  and  jiangs  unfelt  before." 

So  sj)ake  the  grisly  terror,  and  in  shape. 
So  speaking  and  so  threatening,  grew  tenfold 
More  dreadful  and  deform  :  on  the  other  side, 
Incensed  with  indignation,  Satan  stood 
Unterrified,  and  like  a  comet  burned, 
That  fires  the  length  of  Ophiuchus  huge 
In  the  arctic  sky,  and  fi'om  his  horrid  hair 
Shakes  pestilence  and  war.     Each  at  the  head 
Levelled  his  deadly  aim  ;  their  fatal  hands 
No  second  stroke  intend ;  and  such  a  frown 
Each  cast  at  the  other,  as  when  two  black  clouds, 
With  Heaven's  artillery  fraught,  come  rattling  on 
Over  the  Caspian,  then  stand  front  to  front, 
Hovering  a  space,  till  winds  the  signal  blow 
To  join  their  dark  encounter  in  mid-air  : 
So  frowned  the  mighty  combatants,  that  Hell 
Grew  darker  at  their  frown,  so  matched  they  stood ; 
For  never  but  once  more  was  either  like 
To  meet  so  great  a  foe  :  and  now  great  deeds 
Had  been  achieved,  whereof  all  Hell  had  rung. 
Had  not  the  snaky  sorceress  that  sat, 
Fast  by  Hell-gate,  and  kept  the  fatal  key, 
Risen,  and  with  hideous  outcry  rushed  between. 

"  O  father,  what  intends  thy  hand,"  she  cried, 
"  Against  thy  only  son  ?     What  fury,  O  son, 
Possesses  thee  to  bend  that  mortal  dart 
Against  thy  father's  head  ?  and  knowest  for  whom? 
For  him  who  sits  above  and  laughs  the  while 
At  thee  ordained  his  drudge,  to  execute 
Whate'er  his  wrath,  which  he  calls  justice,  bids  ; 
His  wrath,  which  one  day  will  destroy  ye  both." 

She  s})ake,  and  at  her  words  the  hellish  pest 
Forbore,  then  these  to  her  Satan  returned  : 

"So  titrange  thy  outcry,  and  thy  words  so  strange 


PARADISE    LOST. 

Tliou  interposcst,  that  my  sudden  hand 
Prevented  spares  to  tell  thee  yet  by  deeds 
What  it  intends ;  till  first  I  know  of  thee, 
What  thing  thou  art,  thus  double-formed,  and  why 
In  this  infernal  vale  first  met,  thou  call'st 
Me  father,  and  that  phantasm  callest  my  son  ; 
I  know  thee  not,  nor  ever  saw  till  now 
Sight  more  detestable  than  him  and  thee." 

To  whom  thus  the  portress  of  Ilell-gate  replied : 
"  Hast  thou  forgot  me  then,  and  do  I  seem 
Now  in  thine  eye  so  fonl?  once  deemed  so  fair 
In  Heaven,  when  at  the  assembly,  and  in  sight 
Of  all  the  seraphim  with  thee  combined 
In  bold  conspiracy  against  Heaven's  King, 
All  on  a  sudden  miserable  pain 
Surprised  thee,  dim  thine  eyes,  and  dizzy  swum 
In  darkness,  while  thy  head  flames  thick  and  fast 
Threw  forth,  till  on  the  left  side  opening  wide, 
Likest  to  thee  in  shape  and  countenance  bright, 
Then  shining  heavenly  fair,  a  goddess  armed, 
Out  of  thy  head  I  sprung  :  amazement  seized 
All  the  host  of  Heaven  ;"  back  they  recoiled  afraid 
At  first,  and  called  me  Sin,  and  for  a  sign 
Portentous  held  me  ;  but,  familiar  grown, 
I  pleased,  and  with  attractive  graces  won 
The  most  averse,  thee  chiefly,  who  full  oft 
Thyself  in  me  thy  perfect  image  viewing 
Became  enamoured,  and  such  joy  thou  took'st 
With  me  in  secret,  that  my  womb  conceived 
A  growing  burden.     Meanwhile  war  arose. 
And  fields  were  fought  in  Heaven  ;  Avherein  remained 
(For  what  could  else  ?)  to  our  almighty  foe 
Clear  victory,  to  our  part  loss  and  rout 
Through  all  the  empyrean  :  down  they  fell 
Driven  headlong  from  the  pitch  of  Heaven,  down 
Into  this  deep,  and  in  the  general  fall 
I  also ;  at  which  time  this  powerful  key 
Into  my  hand  was  given,  with  charge  to  keep 
These  gates  for  ever  shut,  which  none  can  jjass 
Without  my  opening.     Pensive  here  J.  sut 


55 


56  PARADISE    LOST. 

Alone,  but  long  I  sat  not,  till  niy  womb, 
Pregnant  by  thee,  and  now  excessive  grown, 
Prodigious  motion  felt  and  rueful  throes. 
At  last  this  odious  otfs])ring  whom  thou  seest, 
Thine  OAvn  begotten,  bi-eaking  violent  way, 
Tore  through  my  entrails,  that  with  fear  and  pain 
Distorted,  all  my  nether  shape  thus  grew 
Transformed  :  but  he  my  inbred  enemy 
Forth  issued,  brandishing  his  fatal  dart 
Made  to  destroy  ;  I  fled,  and  cried  out  '  Death  ! ' 
Hell  trembled  at  the  hideous  name,  and  sighed 
From  all  her  caves,  and  back  resounded  '  Death ! 
I  fled,  but  he  pursued  (though  more,  it  seems. 
Inflamed  with  lust  than  rage),  and  swifter  far, 
Me  overtook,  his  mother,  all  dismayed, 
And  in  embraces  forcible  and  foul 
Engendering  with  me,  of  that  rape  begot 
These  yelling  monsters,  that  with  ceaseless  cry 
Surround  me,  as  thou  sawest,  hourly  conceived 
And  hourly  born,  with  sorrow  infinite 
To  me ;  for  when  they  list,  into  the  womb 
That  bred  them  they  return,  and  howl,  and  gnaw 
My  bowels,  their  repast ;  then  bursting  forth 
Afresh  with  conscious  terrors  vex  me  round. 
That  rest  or  intermission  none  I  lind.  * 

Before  mine  eyes  in  opi)Osition  sits 
Grim  Death,  my  son  and  foo,  who  sets  them  on. 
And  me  his  parent  would  full  soon  devour 
For  want  of  other  prey,  but  that  ho  knows 
His  end  Avith  mine  involved ;  and  knows  that  I 
Should  prove  a  bitter  moi'sel,  and  his  bane. 
Whenever  that  shall  bo  ;  so  fate  ]>ronounced. 
But  thou,  O  father,  I  forewarn  thee,  shuu 
His  deadly  arrow ;  neither  vainly  hope 
To  be  invulnerable  in  those  bright  arms, 
Tiiough  tempered  heavenly  ;  for  that  mortal  dint, 
Save  he  who  reigns  above,  none  can  resist.". 
She  finished,  and  the  subtle  fiend  his  lore 
Soon  leai'ned,  now  milder,  and  thus  answered  smooth : 
"  Dear  daughter,  since  thou  claim'st  me  for  thy  sire, 


I'AUADISE    LOST,  57 

Anfl  my  fair  son  liore  RJiow'st  me,  the  dear  pledge 

Of  (ialli.'ince  litid  witli  thee  in  Heaven,  and  joys 

Then  sweet,  now  sad  to  mention,  through  dire  change 

Befallen  us  unforeseen,  unthought  of ;  know 

I  corae  no  enemy,  but  to  set  free 

From  out  this  dark  and  dismal  house  of  pain 

Both  him  and  thee,  and  all  the  heavenly  host 

Of  spirits,  that  in  our  just  pretenses  armed, 

Fell  witli  us  from  on  high  :  from  them  I  go 

This  uncouth  errand  sole  ;  and,  one  for  all, 

Myself  expose,  with  lonely  steps  to  tread 

The  unfounded  deep,  and  through  the  void  immense 

To  search  with  wandering  quest  a  place  foretold 

Siiould  be,  and,  by  concurring  signs,  ere  now 

Created  vast  and  round ;  a  place  of  bliss 

In  the  purlieus  of  Heaven,  and  therein  j:)laced 

A  race  of  upstart  creatures,  to  supply 

Perhaps  our  vacant  room,  though  more  removed, 

Lest  Heaven,  surcharged  witli  potent  multitude, 

Might  hap  to  move  new  broils  :  be  this  or  aught 

Than  this  more  secret  now  designed,  I  haste 

To  know,  and,  this  once  known,  shall  soon  return, 

And  bring  ye  to  the  place  where  thou  and  Death 

Shall  dwell  at  ease,  and  up  and  down  unseen 

Wing  silently  the  buxom  air,  imbalmed 

With  odours ;  there  ye  shall  be  fed  and  filled 

Immeasurably ;  all  things  shall  be  your  prey." 

He  ceased,  for  both  seemed  highly  pleased,  and  Death 
Grinned  horrible  a  ghastly  smile,  to  hear 
His  famine  should  be  filled,  and  blessed  his  maw 
Destined  to  that  good  hour :  no  less  rejoiced 
His  mother  bad,  and  thus  bespake  lier  sire: 

"  The  key  of  this  infernal  pit  by  due. 
And  by  command  of  Heaven's  all-powerful  King 
I  keep,  by  him  forbidden  to  unlock 
These  adamantine  gates;  against  all  force 
Death  ready  stands  to  interpose  his  dart, 
Fearless  to  be  o'erraatched  by  living  might. 
But  what  owe  I  to  liis  commands  above 
Who  hates  me,  and  hath  hither  thrust  me  down 


58  PARADISE    LOST. 

Into  this  gloom  of  Tartarus  profound, 

To  sit  in  hateful  office  here  confined, 

Inhabitant  of  Heaven,  and  heavenly-born, 

Here  in  perpetual  agony  and  pain, 

With  terrors  and  with  clamours  compassed  round 

Of  mine  own  brood,  that  on  my  bowels  feed  ? 

Thou  art  my  father,  thou  my  author,  thou 

My  being  gavest  me ;  whom  should  I  obey 

But  thee  ?  whom  follow  ?  thou  wilt  bring  me  soon 

To  that  new  world  of  light  and  bliss,  among 

The  gods  who  live  at  ease,  Avhere  I  shall  reign 

At  tliy  right  hand  voluptuous,  as  beseems 

Tiiy  daughter  and  thy  darling,  without  end." 

Thus  saying,  from  her  side  the  fatal  key, 
Sad  instrument  of  all  our  woe,  she  took ; 
And  towards  the  gate  rolling  her  bestial  train, 
Forthwith  the  huge  portcullis  high  up  drew, 
Which,  but  herself,  not  all  the  Stygian  powers 
Could  once  have  moved  ;  then  in  the  key-hole  turns 
The  intricate  Avards,  and  every  bolt  and  bar 
Of  massy  iron  or  solid  i-ock  with  ease 
Unfastens  ;/&n  a  sudden  ojjen  fly, 
With  impetuous  recoil  and  jarring  sound 
The  infernal  doors,  and  on  their  hinges  grate 
Harsh  thunder,  that  the  lowest  bottom  shook 
Of  Erebus./  She  opened,  but  to  shut 
Excelled  her  power  ;  the  gates  wide  open  stood, 
That  with  extended  wings  a  bannered  host, 
Under  spread  ensigns  marching  might  pass  through 
With  horse  and  chariots  ranked  in  loose  an-ay ; 
So  wide  they  stood,  and  like  a  furnace  mouth 
Cast  forth  red(junding  smoke  and  ruddy  flame. 
Before  their  eyes  in  sudden  view  appear 
The  secrets  of  the  hoary  deep,  a  dark 
Illimitable  ocean,  without  bound, 

Without  dimension,  where  length,  breadth,  and  height, 
And  time,  and  place,  are  lost ;  where  eldest  Night 
And  Chaos,  ancestors  of  nature,  hold 
Eternal  anarchy,  amidst  the  noise 
Of  endless  wars,  and  by  confusion  stand. 


PARADISE    LOST.  5? 

For  Hot,  Cold,  Moist,  and  Dry,  four  cliampions  fierce, 

Strive  here  for  mastery,  and  to  battle  bring 

Their  embryon  atoms  :  they  around  the  flag 

Of  each  his  faction,  in  their  several  clans. 

Light  armed  or  heavy,  sharp,  smooth,  swift,  or  slow, 

Swarm  populous,  unnumbered  as  the  sands 

Of  Barca  or  Gyrene's  torrid  soil, 

Levied  to  side  with  warring  winds,  and  poise 

Their  lighter  wings.     To  whom  these  most  adhere, 

He  rules  a  moment ;  Chaos  umpire  sits, 

And  by  decision  more  embroils  the  fray 

By  Avhich  he  reigns :  next  him  high  arbiter 

Chance  governs  all.     Into  this  wild  abyss. 

The  womb  of  nature,  and  perhaps  her  grave, 

Of  neither  sea,  nor  shore,  nor  air,  nor  tire, 

But  all  these  in  their  pregnant  causes  mixed 

Confusedly,  and  which  thus  must  ever  fight. 

Unless  the  almighty  Maker  them  ordain 

His  dark  materials  to  create  more  worlds ; 

Lito  this  wild  abyss  the  wary  fiend 

Stood  on  the  brink  of  Hell,  and  looked  a  while. 

Pondering  his  voyage ;  for  no  narrow  frith 

He  had  to  cross.     Nor  Avas  his  ear  less  pealed 

With  noises  loud  and  ruinous  (to  compare 

Great  things  with  small)  than  when  Bollona  storms, 

With  all  her  batterino-  enmnes  bent  to  raze 

Some  ca])ital  city  ;  or  less  than  if  this  frame 

Of  Heaven  were  falling,  and  these  elements 

Li  mutiny  had  from  her  axle  torn 

The  steadfast  earth.     At  last  his  sail-broad  vans 

He  spreads  for  flight,  and  in  the  surging  smoke 

Uplifted  spurns  tlie  ground  ;  thence  many  a  league, 

As  in  a  cloudy  chair,  ascending  rides 

Audacious  ;  but,  that  seat  soon  failing,  meets 

A  vast  vacuity :  all  unawares, 

Fluttering  his  pennons  vain,  plumb  down  he  drops 

Ten  thousand  fathom  deep,  and  to  this  hour 

Down  had  been  falling,  had  not  by  ill  chance 

The  strong  rebuff  of  some  tumultuous  cloud, 

Instinct  with  tire  and  nitre,  hurried  him 


80  PARADISE    LOST. 

As  many  miles  aloft :  that  fury  stayed, 

Quenched  in  a  boggy  Syrtis,  neither  sea, 

Nor  good  dry  laud  :  nigh  foundered,  on  he  fares 

Treading  the  crude  consistence,  half  on  foot. 

Half  flying;  behoves  him  now  both  oar  and  sail. 

As  when  a  gryphon  through  the  wilderness 

With  winged  course,  o'er  hill  or  moory  dale, 

Pursues  the  Arimaspian,  who  by  stealth 

Had  from  his  wakeful  custody  purloined 

The  guarded  gold  :  so  eagerly  the  fiend 

O'er  bog,  or  steep,  through  strait,  rough,  dense,  or  rare, 

With  head,  hands,  wings,  or  feet,  pursues  his  way 

And  swims,  or  sinks,  or  wades, or  creeps,  or  flies; 

At  length  a  universal  hubbub  wild 

Of  stunning  sounds  and  voices  all  confused, 

Borne  through  the  hollow  dark,  assaults  his  ear 

With  loudest  vehemence  :  thither  he  plies, 

Undaunted,  to  meet  there  whatever  2)ower 

Or  spirit  of  the  nethermost  abyss 

Might  in  that  noise  reside,  of  whom  to  ask 

Which  way  the  nearest  coast  of  darkness  lies 

Bordering  on  light ;  when  straight  behold  the  throne 

Of  Chaos,  and  his  dark  pavilion  spread 

Wide  on  the  wasteful  deep;  with  him  enthroned 

Sat  sable-vested  Night,  eldest  of  things, 

The  consort  of  his  reign,  and  by  them  stood 

Orcus  and  Ades,  and  the  dreaded  name 

Of  Demogorgon  ;  Rumour  next,  and  Chance, 

And  Tumult,  and  Confusion,  all  embroiled. 

And  Discord  with  a  thousand  various  mouths. 

To  whom  Satan  turning  boldly,  thus  ;  "Ye  powers 
And  spirits  of  this  nethermost  abyss. 
Chaos  and  ancient  Night,  I  come  no  spy, 
With  purpose  to  explore  or  to  disturb 
The  secrets  of  your  realm,  but,  by  constraint 
Wandering  this  darksome  desert,  as  my  way 
Lies  through  your  spacious  empire  up  to  light, 
Alone,  and  without  guide,  half  lost,  I  seek 
What  readiest  path  leads  where  your  gloomy  bounds 
Confine  v/ith  Heaven  :  or,  if  some  other  place, 


PARADISE    LOST.  61 

From  yourdoinlnion  won,  the  ctliercal  king 

Possesses  I.'itoly,  thitlier  to  arrive 

I  (ravel  this  profound;  direct  my  course; 

])irected,  no  mean  recompense  it  brings 

To  your  belioof,  if  I  that  region  lost, 

All  usur])ation  thence  expelled,  reduce 

To  lier  original  darkness  and  y6ur  sway 

(Which  is  my  jn-csent  journey),  and  once  more 

Erect  the  standard  there  of  ancient  Night; 

Yours  be  the  advantage  all,  mine  the  revenge." 

Thus  Satan  ;  and  him  thus  the  Anarch  old, 
With  faltering  speech  and  visage  incomposed. 
Answered  :  "-1  know  thee,  stranger,  who  thou  art : 
That  mighty  leading  angel,  who  of  late 
]\Iade  liead  against  Heaven's  King,  though  overthrown. 
I  saw  and  lieai-d,  for  such  a  numerous  host 
Fled  not  in  silence  through  the  frighted  deep 
W^ith  I'uin  uj)on  ruin,  rout  on  rout. 
Confusion  worse  confounded  ;  and  Heaven-gates 
Poured  out  bj-  millions  her  victorious  bands'^ 
Pursuing.     1  upon  my  frontiers  here 
Kec])  residence ;  if  al'l  I  can  Avill  serve 
That  little  which  is  left  so  to  defend, 
Kncroached  on  still  through  your  intestine  broils, 
Weakening  the  sceptre  of  old  Night :  first  Hell, 
Your  dungeon,  stretching  far  and  wide  beneath; 
Now  lately  Heaven  and  Earth,  another  world. 
Hung  o'er  my  realm,  link'd  in  a  golden  chain 
To  that  side  Heaven  from  whence  your  legions  fell. 
If  that  way  be  your  walk,  you  have  notfal"-; 
So  much  the  nearer  danger;  go,  and  speed; 
Havoc,  and  sj)()i],  and  ruin,  are  my  gain." 

He  ceased  ;  and  Satan  stayed  not  to  reply, 
Hut  glad  that  now  his  sea  should  find  a  shore, 
AVith  fresh  alacrity  and  force  renewed 
Springs  upward,  like  a  pyramid  of  fire. 
Into  thewild  expanse,  and  through  the  shock 
C)f  fighting  elements,  on  all  sides'round 
Environed,  wins  his  way,  harder  beset 
And  more  endangered,  than  when  Argo  })assed 


G2  PARADISE    LOST. 

Through  Bosphorus,  betwixt  the  justling  rocks; 

Or  when  Ulysses  on  the  larboard  shunned 

Charybdis,  and  by  the  other  whirlpool  steered. 

So  he  with  difficulty  and  labour  hard 

Moved  on,  with  difficulty  and  labour  lie  ; 

But  he  once  passed,  soon  after,  when  man  fell, 

Strange  altei-ation  !     Sin  and  Death  amain 

Following  his  track  (such  was  the  will  of  Heaven) 

Paved  after  him  a  broad  and  beaten  way 

Over  the  dark  abyss,  whose  boilinggulf 

Tamely  endured  a  bridge  of  wondrous  length, 

From  Hell  continued,  reaching  the  utmost  orb 

Of  this  frail  Avorld,  by  which  the  spirits  perverse 

With  easy  intercourse  pass  to  and  fro 

To  temjit  or  punish  mortals,  except  whom 

God  and  good  angels  guard  by  special  grace. 

But  now  at  last  the  sacred  intiuence 

Of  light  appears,  and  from  the  walls  of  Heaven 

Shoots  far  into  the  bosom  of  dim  Night 

A  glimmering  dawni ;  here  Nature  first  begins 

Her  farthest  verge,  and  Cliaos  to  retire, 

As  from  her  utmost  works,  a  broken  foe, 

With  tumult  less,  and  with  less  hostile  din, 

That  Satan  with  less  toil,  and  now  with  ease 

Wafts  on  the  calmer  wave  by  dul)ious  light, 

And  like  a  weather-beaten  vessel  holds 

Gladly  the  port,  though  shrouds  and  tackle  tornf 

Or  in  the  emptier  waste,  resembling  air, 

Weighs  his  spread  wings,  at  leisure  to  behold    - 

Far  off  (he  empyreal  Heaven,  extended  wide 

In  circuit,  undetermined  square  or  round, 

With  opal  towers  and  battlements  adorned 

Of  living  sapphire,  once  his  native  seat; 

And  fast  by,  hanging  in  a  golden  chain, 

This  pendent  v^'orld,  in  bigness  as  a  star 

Of  smallest  magnitude  close  by  the  moon. 

Thither,  full  fraught  with  mischievous  revenge, 

Accursed,  and  in  a  cui'scd  hour,  he  hies. 


PAKADISK    LOST.  63 


BOOK  rn. 


THE  AUGUMKXT. 

Gop,  sitting  on  ITis  throne,  pees  Satan  flyinc;  towards  tliis  world,  then 
newly  created  :  siiows  liirn  to  the  Son,  who  sat  at  llisri^ht  liand  :  fore- 
tellf!  the  success  of  Satan  in  ^lerveitins  nianldiid  ;  clears  his  own  justice 
and  wisdom  from  all  inii)Utation,  jiavins;  created  man  free,  and  able 
enongh  to  have  withstood  his  tempter  ;  yet  declares  his  imrpose  of  urace 
towaids  him,  in  regard  h(!  fell  not  of  his  own  malice,  as  did  Satan,  but  by 
him  seduced.  The  Son  of  God  renders  praises  to  his  Father  for  the  mani- 
festation of  his  p;racious  imrjiose  towaids  man  ;  but  God  ajiain  declares 
that  grace  cannot  he  extended  towaids  man  without  the  satisfaction  of 
divine  justice  ;  man  hath  offended  the  majesty  of  God  by  aspiring  to 
godhead,  and  therefore  with  all  his  i)rogeny  devoted  to  death  must 
die,  unless  some  one  can  be  found  sufficient  to  answer  for  his  offence,  ami 
undergo  his  punishment.  TlieSonof  God  freely  offers  himself  a  ransom 
fur  man:  The  Father  acce]its  him,  ordains  his  iiK'arnation,  pronounces 
His  exa'tation  above  all  names  in  Heaven  and  Earth ;  commands  all  the 
augcls  to  adoie  him  ;  they  obey,  and  by  h\  inning  to  their  harps  in  full 
quire,  celebrate  the  Father  and  the  Son.  Meanwhile  Satan  alights  ujion 
the  bare  con\e.x  of  this  world's  outermost  orb;  where  wandering  he  first 
finds  a  jilace,  since  called  the  Limbo  of  Vanity;  what  persons  and  thini:s 
(ly  up  thither:  thence  conies  to  the  gate  of  Heaven,  described  ascending 
liy  stairs,  and  the  waters  above  the  ruiiiameut  that  flow  about  it:  his  pas- 
sage thence  to  the  orb  of  the  sun ;  he  finds  there  Uriel,  the  regent  of  that 
oil),  but  first  changes  himself  into  the  shape  of  a  meaner  angel:  anc 
pretending  a.  /.ealous  desire  to  behold  tlio  new  creation,  and  man  w  liom 
God  had  jilaced  here,  inquires  of  him  the  place  of  his  habitation,  and 
is  diiecleci;  alights  fir&t  on  mount  Niphates. 

Ham.,  holy  Lio'lit !  offsprinj;  of  Heaven  tirstborii! 
Or  of  the  F,ti'ni:il  routefiml  beam, 
May  r  express  thee  iinlihimed '?  since  (lod  is  light, 
And  never  bnt  in   nnapproaelied  liglit 
Dwelt  fi'oin  eternity,  dwelt  then  in  thee, 
T^iiljht  effluence  of  bfiglit  essence  increate. 
Or  Iiear'st  tlinii  rather  pure  ethereal  stream, 
Whose  fountain  who  siiall  tell  ?     I^efore  the  sun, 
Before  the  FTe.Mven  thou  wert  ;  and  .-it  the  voice 
Of  God,  as  with  a  mantle  didat  invest 


04  I'AUADISH    LOST. 

The  rising  Avorld  of  waters  dark  and  deep, 

Won  from  the  void  and  formless  infinite.  | 

Thee  I  revisit  now  with  bolder  wing, 

ICscaped  the  Stygian  j)ool,  thougli  long  detained 

In  that  obscure  sojourn,  while  in  my  flight 

Through  litter  and  through  middle  darkness  borne 

With  other  notes  than  to  the  Oi-i)hean  lyre 

I  sung  of  Chaos  and  eternal  Night ; 

Taught  by  tlie  heavenly  muse  to  venture  down 

The  dark  descent,^and  uj)  to  re  ascend, 

Thougli  hard  and  rare  :  Thee  I  revisit  safe, 

And  feel  thy  sovereign  vital  lam]^;  but  thou 

]\evisit'st  not  these  eyes,  that  roll  in  vain 

To  find  thy  piercing  ray,  and  find  no  dawn  ; 

So  thick  a  drop  sei-ene  hath  quenched  their  orbs, 

Or  dim  suffusion  veiled.     Yet  not  the  more 

Cease  I  to  wander,  where  the  Muses  haunt 

Clear  spring,  or  shady  grove,  or  sunny  hill, 

Smit  with  the  love  of  sacred  song;  but  chief 

Thee,  Sion,  and  the  flowery  brooks  beneath, 

That  washed  thy  hallowed  feet,  and  warbling  flow, 

Kightly  I  ^  isit :  nor  somt.'timcs  forget 

"Jliose  other  two  equalled  with  me  in  fate, 

So  were  I  equalled  with  tliem  in  renown, 

Blind  Thamyris  and  blind  Masonides, 

And  Tiresias  and  Phineas,  prophets  old  : 

'^riien  feed  on  thoughts,  that  voluntary  move 

llaiinonious  numbers;  as  the  wakeful  l)ird 

Sings  darkling,  and  in  shadiest  covert  hid 

'J'uncs  hei'  nocturnal  note.     Thus  ^\■ith  the  year 

Seasons  return,  but  not  to  me  returns 

.Day,  or  the  sweet  a])pi'oach  of  cwu  oi-  morn, 

Oi-  sight  of  vernal  bloom,  or  summer's  rose, 

Or  fidcks,  or  herds,  or  human  face  divine; 

l)ut  cloud  instead,  and  e\  ei-during  dark 

Surrounds  me,  from  the  cheerful  ways  of  men 

Cut  off,  and  for  the  book  of  knowledge  fail- 

Presented  with  a  universal  b]aid< 

Of  nature's  m  orks  to  me  expunged  and  rased, 

And  Avisdoni  at  one  entr;uice  ((uitc  sliut  out. 


PA  KA  DISK    T.OST,  (it) 

So  niuoli  tlio  vallier  tliou,  colosthil  Liuht, 

Shine  inward,  and  tlie  mind  tliroiigh  all  lier  powers 

Ii-radiate;  there  plant  eyes,  all  mist  from  tlieiice 

Piirire  and  disperse,  tlia.t  I  may  see  and  tell 

Of  thino-s  invisible  to  mortal  sight. 

Now  liad  the  Almighty  Father  from  above, 
From  the  pure  empyr6an  where  he  sits 
High  tlironed  above  all  height,  bent  down  his  eye, 
His  own  works  and  their  works  at  once  to  view  : 
About  him  all  the  sanctities  of  Heaven 
Stood  thick  as  stars,  and  from  his  sight  received 
Beatitude  past  utterance  ;  on  his  i-ight 
The  radiant  image  of  his  glory  sat. 
His  only  Son  ;  on  earth  he  first  beheld 
Our  two  first  parents,  yet  the  only  two 
Of  mankind,  in  the  happy  garden  placed, 
Reaping  immortal  fruits  of  joy  and  love, 
Uninterrupted  joy,  unrivalled  love. 
In  blissful  solitude ;  he  then  surveyed 
Hell  and  the  gulf  between,  and  Satan  there 
Coasting  the  wall  of  Heaven  on  this  side  Night, 
In  the  dun  air  sublime,  and  ready  now 
To  stoop  with  wearied  wings  and  willing  feet 
On  the  bare  outside  of  this  world,  that"  seemed 
Firm  land  embosomed,  without  firmament, 
Uncertain  which,  in  ocean  or  in  air. 
Ilim  God  beholding  from  his  prospect  high, 
Wherein  past,  present,  future,  he  beholds. 
Thus  to  his  only  Son  forseeing  spake: 

"  Only  begotten  Son,  seest  thou  what  rage 
Transports  our  adversary?  whom  no  bounds 
Prescribed,  no  bars  of  Hell,  nor  all  the  chains 
Heaped  on  him  there,  nor  yet  the  main  abyss 
Wide  interru])t,  can  hold  ;  so  bent  he  seems 
On  desperate  revenge,  that  shall  i-edound 
Upon  his  ow^n  rebellious  head.     And  now 
Through  all  restraint  broke  loose  he  wings  his  way 
Not  far  off  Heaven,  in  the  precincts  of  light. 
Directly  towards  the  new-created  world. 
And  man  there  placed,  with  purpose  to  essay 

5 


C6  PAKAIUSK    LOST. 

If  him  by  force  lie  can  destroy,  or  worse, 

J>y  some  false  guile  pervert;  and  shall  pervert, 

Foi'  man  will  hearken  to  his  glozing  lies, 

And  easily  transgress  the  sole  command, 

Sole  ])ledge  of  his  obedience :  so  will  fall 

lie  and  liis  faithless  progeny  :  whose  fault  ? 

Whose  but  his  own  ?     Ingrate,  he  had  of  me 

All  he  could  have  :  I  made  him  just  and  right, 

Sufficient  to  have  stood,  though  free  to  fall. 

Such  I  created  all  the  ethereal  ])owers 

And  spirits,  both  them  who  stood,  and  them  who  fail'd  ; 

Freely  they  stood  who  stood,  and  fell  who  fell. 

Not  free,  what  proof  could  they  have  given  sincere 

Of  ti'ue  allegiance,  constant  faith,  or  love. 

Where  only  what  they  needs  must  do  appeared. 

Not  what  they  would  ?  what  praise  could  they  receive? 

What  pleasure  I  from  sucli  obedience  paid, 

AVhen  will  and  reason  (reason  also  is  choice) 

Useless  and  vain,  of  freedom  both  despoiled. 

Made  ])assive  both,  had  served  necessity. 

Not  me  ?     They  therefore  as  to  right  belonged, 

So  were  created,  nor  can  justly  accuse 

Their  Maker,  or  their  making,  or  their  fate, 

As  if  pi'edestination  over-ruled 

Their  will,  disposed  by  absohite  decree 

Or  high  foreknowledge  ;  they  themselves  decreed 

Their  own  revolt,  not  I ;  if  I  foreknew, 

Foreknowledge  had  no  influence  on  their  fault, 

Which  had  no  less  proved  certain  nnforeknown. 

So  without  least  imjiulse  or  shadow  of  fate, 

Or  aught  by  me  immutably  foreseen, 

'J'hc^y  trespass,  authors  to  themselves  in  all 

Both  Avhat  they  judge,  and  what  they  choose;  for  so 

I  formed  them  free  :  and  free  they  must  remain, 

Till  they  enthral  themselves  ;  T  else  must  change 

'J'heir  nature,  and  revoke  the  high  decree 

Unchangeable,  eternal,  which  ordained 

Their  freedom  ;  they  themselves  ordained  their  fall. 

The  first  sort  by  their  own  suggestion  fell, 

Sclf-tem]>teJ,  self-depraved  :  man  falls  deceived 


TARADISK    LOST.  <37 

By  tlio  Oilier  first ;  man  tliorcfore  shall  find  grac.-, 
Tiie  other  none  :/in  mercy  and  justi','e  !>oth, 
Through  Heaven  and  earth,  so  shall  my  glory  excel; 
Hut  mercy,  first  and  last,  shall  brightest  shine.'V 

Tims  Avhile  God  spake  ambrosial  fragrance  filled 
All  Heaven,  and  in  the  blessed  s]Mrits  elect 
Sense  of  now  joy  ineffable  diffused  : 
Beyond  compare  the  Son  of  God  was  seen 
Most  glorious ;  in  him  all  liis  Father  shone 
Substantially  expressed  ;  and  in  his  face 
Divine  com})assion  visibly  apjicared, 
Love  witliout  end,  and  without  measure  grace, 
Which  uttering  thus  he  to  his  father  sjiake : 

"O  Father,  gracious  was  that  word  wliich  closed 
Thy  sovereign  sentence,  that  man  should  find  grace ; 
For  which  both  Heaven  and  eartli  shall  high  extol 
Thy  jiraises,  with  the  innumerable  sound 
Of  hymns  and  sacred  songs,  wherewith  thy  throne 
Fncom])assed  shall  resound  thee  ever  blessed. 
For  should  man  finally  be  lost,  should  man, 
Thy  creature  late  so  loved,  thy  youngest  son, 
Fall  circumvented  thus  by  fraud,  though  joined 
With  his  own  folly?  that  be  from  thee  far, 
That  far  be  from  thee,  Father,  who  art  judge 
Of  all  things  made,  and  judgest  only  right. 
Or  shall  the  adversary  thus  obtain 
His  end,  and  frustrate  thine?  shall  he  fulfil 
His  malice,  and  thy  goodness  bring  to  nought. 
Or  proud  return,  though  to  his  heavier  doom, 
"i'et  with  revenge  accom])lished,  and  to  Hell 
])i-aw  after  him  the  whole  race  of  mankind, 
By  him  corrujited  ?  or  wilt  thou  thyself 
Abolish  thy  creation,  and  unmake 
For  him,  what  for  thy  glory  thou  hast  made? 
So  should  thy  goodness  and  thy  greatness  both 
l>e  questioned  and  blasphemed  M'ithout  defence." 

To  whom  the  great  Creator  thus  replied  : 
"  O  Son,  in  whom  my  soul  hath  chief  delight, 
Son  of  my  bosom.  Son  Avho  art  alone 
My  word,  my  wisdom,  and  effectual  might, 


68  PARA  DISK    l.OAT. 

All  liasttlioii  spoken  as  my  thoughts  are,  all 

As  my  etcrmil  puri)Ose  hath  decreetl  : 

Man  shall  not  quite  be  lost,  but  saved  who  will. 

Yet  Dot  of  will  in  hiin,  but  grace  in  me 

Freely  vouchsafed  ;  once  more  I  will  renew 

His  la])sed  })owers,  though  forfeit,  and  enthrallecl 

liy  sin  to  foul  exorbitant  desires  ; 

Upheld  by  me,  yet  once  ntore  he  shall  stand 

On  even  ground  against  his  mortal  foe, 

By  me  upheld,  that  he  may  know  how  frail 

His  fallen  condition  is,  and  to  me  owe 

All  his  deliverance,  and  to  none  but  me. 

Some  I  have  chosen  of  peculiar  grace 

Elect  above  the  rest ;  so  is  my  will : 

The  rest  shall  hear  me  call,  and  oft  be  warned 

Their  sinful  state,  and  to  appease  betimes 

The  incensed  Deity,  while  offered  grace 

Invites ;  for  I  will  clear  their  senses  dark. 

What  may  suffice,  and  soften  stony  hearts 

To  pray,  rejjent,  and  bring  obedience  due. 

To  prayer,  repentance,  and  obedience  due, 

Though  but  endeavoured  with  sincere  intent. 

Mine  ear  shall  not  be  slow,  mine  eve  not  shut. 

And  I  will  place  within  them  as  a  guide 

My  umpire  Conscience,  whom  if  they  will  hear. 

Light  after  light  well  used  they  shall  attain, 

And  to  the  end  persisting,  safe  arrive. 

This  my  long  sufferance  and  my  day  of  grace, 

They  who  neglect  and  scorn  shall  never  taste ; 

But  hard  be  hardened,  blind  bo  blinded  more. 

That  they  may  stumble  on,  and  deeper  fall ; 

And  none  but  such  from  mercy  I  exclude. 

But  yet  all  is  not  done :  man  disobeying. 

Disloyal  breaks  liis  fealty,  and  sins 

Against  the  high  supremacy  of  Heaven, 

Affecting  godhead,  and  so  losing  all, 

To  expiate  his  treason  hath  nought  left. 

But  to  destruction  sacred  and  devote, 

He  Avith  his  whole  posterity  must  die. 

Die  he  or  justice  must;  unless  for  him 


PAKAOISK    I.OST,  69 

Some  other  able,  and  as  williii<^,  pay 

The  I'i^^id  satisfaction — deatli  for  deatli. 

Say,  lieavenly  j)o\\ers,  where  sliall  we  find  such  love? 

Which  of  ye  will  be  mortal  to  redeem 

IMan's  mortal  crime,  and  just  the  unjust  to  save? 

Dwells  in  all  Jleaven  charity  so  dear  !  " 

lie  asked ;  but  all  the  lieavenly  quire  stood  mute, 
And  silence  was  in  Heaven  :  on  man's  behalf 
Patron  or  intercessor  none  a})i)eared, 
Much  less  that  durst  upon  his  own  liead  draw 
The  deadly  forfeiture,  and  ransom  set. 
And  now  without  redemption  all  mankind 
JMust  have  been  lost,  adjudged  to  death  and  Hell 
By  doom  severe,  had  not  the  Son  of  God, 
In  whom  the  fulness  dwells  of  love  divine, 
His  dearest  mediation  thus  renewed  : 

"Father,  Thy  word  is  past,  man  shall  find  grace; 
And  shall  grace  not  find  means,  that  finds  her  way. 
The  speediest  of  thy  winged  messengers, 
To  visit  all  thy  creatures,  and  to  all 
Comes  unprevented,  unimplored,  unsought? 
Hapjjy  for  man,  so  coming;  he  her  aid 
Can  never  seek,  once  dead  in  sins  and  lost ; 
Atonement  for  himself  or  offering  meet, 
Indebted  and  undone,  liath  none  to  bring : 
Behold  rae  then  ;  mo  for  him,  life  for  life, 
I  offer ;  on  me  let  thine  anger  fall ; 
Account  me  man  ;  I  for  liis  sake  will  leave 
Thy  bosom,  and  this  glory  next  to  thee 
Freely  ])ut  off,  and  for  him  lastly  die 
Well  pleased  ;  on  me  let  Death  Avreak  all  his  rage; 
Under  his  gloomy  power  I  shall  not  long 
Lie  vanquished  ;  thou  hast  given  me  to  possess 
Life  in  myself  for  ever ;  by  thee  I  live, 
Though  now  to  Deatli  I  yield,  and  am  his  due 
All  that  of  me  can  die ;  yet,  that  debt  paid. 
Thou  wilt  not  leave  me  in  the  loathsome  grave 
His  prey,  nor  suffer  my  unspotted  soul 
For  ever  with  corruption  there  to  dwell; 
But  I  shall  rise  victorious,  and  subdue 


70  PARADISE    I,OST. 

]\ry  vrtiiqiiislior,  Spoiled  of  liis  vaimled  gpoil ; 

Dentil  his  death's  wound  sliall  then  receive,  and  stoop 

InghDi'ious,  of  his  mortal  sting  disarm f^d. 

I  thi'ough  the  ample  air  in  triiim])h  liigh 

Shall  lead  Hell  ca])tiye,  maugre  llell,  and  show 

The  ]iowers  of  darkness  hound.     Thou  at  the  sight 

Pleased,  out  of  Heaven  shall  look  down  and  smile, 

While  by  thee  i-aised  I  ruin  all  my  foes, 

Death  last,  and  with  his  carcass  glut  the  grave: 

Then  with  the  multitude  of  my  redeemed 

Shall  enter  Heaven,  long  absent,  and  return, 

Father,  to  see  thy  face,  wherein  no  cloud 

Of  anger  shall  remam,  but  peace  assured 

And  reconcilement ;  wrath  shall  be  no  more 

Thenccfortli,  but  in  thy  ])rcsence  joy  entire." 

His  words  here  ended,  but  his  meek  aspect 
Silent  yet  spake,  and  breathed  immortal  love 
To  mortal  men,  above  which  only  shone 
Filial  obedience ;  as  a  sacrifice 
Glad  to  be  offered,  he  attends  the  will 
Of  his  great  Father.     Admiration  seized 
All  Heaven,  what  this  might  mean,  and  whither  tend, 
Wondei'ing;  but  soon  the  Almighty  thus  rejilied  : 

"  O  thou,  in  HeaA'en  and  earth  the  only  peace 
Found  out  for  mankind  under  wrath,  O  thou, 
My  soul  complacence  !  well  thou  know'st  how  dear 
To  me  are  all  my  Avorks,  nor  man  tlie  least. 
Though  last  created  ;  that  for  him  I  spare 
Tiiee  from  my  bosom  and  right  hand,  to  save, 
liy  losing  thee  awhile,  the  whole  race  lost. 
Tiiou  therefore,  whom  thou  only  canst  redeem, 
Their  nature  also  to  thy  nature  join; 
A)id  be  thyself  man  among  men  on  earth,  * 

Made  flesh,  when  time  shall  be,  of  virgin  seed, 
By  wondrous  birth:  be  thou  in  Adam's  room 
The  head  of  all  mankind,  though  Adam's  sou. 
As  in  liim  jwrisli  all  men,  so  in  thee, 
As  from  a  second  root,  shall  be  restored 
As  many  as  arc  restored,  without  thee  none. 
His  crime  makes  guilty  all  his  sons ;  thy  merit, 


PARADISE    LOST.  71 

IinjmtcHl  shall  absolve  tbem  who  renounce 

Their  own  both  righteous  and  unrighteous  deeds 

/\nd  live  in  thee  transplanted,  and  from  thee 

Receive  new  life.     So  man,  as  is  most  just, 

Shall  satisfy  for  man,  be  judged  and  die, 

And  dying  rise,  and  rising  witli  him,  raise 

His  brethren,  ransomed  with  his  own  dear  life. 

So  heavenly  love  shall  outdo  hellish  hate. 

Giving  to  deatli,  and  dying  to  redeem, 

So  dearly  to  redeem  what  hellish  hate 

So  easily  destroyed,  and  still  destroys 

In  those  who,  when  they  may,  accept  not  grace. 

Nor  shalt  thou,  by  descending  to  assume 

Man's  nature,  lessen  or  degrade  thine  own. 

Because  thoiu  hast,  though  throned  in  highest  bliss 

Equal  to  God,  and  equally  enjoying 

God-like  fruition,  quitted  all  to  save 

A  world  from  utter  loss,  and  hast  been  found 

By  merit  more  than  birthright  Son  of  God, 

l^ound  worthiest  to  be  so  by  being  good, 

Far  more  than  great  or  higli ;  because  in  thee 

Love  hath  abounded  more  than  glory  abounds, 

Therefore  thy  humiliation  shall  exalt 

With  thee  thy  manhood  also  to  this  throne  ; 

Here  shalt  thou  sit  incarnate,  here  shalt  reign 

Both  God  and  man,  Son  both  of  God  and  man, 

Anointed  universal  Kmg;  all  ])Ower 

I  give  thee  ;  reign  tor  ever,  and  assume 

Thy  merits  ;  under  thee  as  head  su])reme 

Thrones,  princedoms,  powers,  dominions  I  reduce: 

All  knees  to  thee  shall  bow,  of  them  that  bide 

In  heaven  or  earth,  or  under  earth  in  Hell. 

When  thou,  attended  gloriously  from  Heaven, 

Shalt  in  tlie  sky  appear,  and  from  thee  send 

The  summoning  archangels  to  proclaim 

Thy  dread  tribunal ;  forthwith  from  all  winds 

The  living,  and  forthwith  the  cited  dead 

Of  all  ])ast  ages,  to  the  general  doom 

Shall  hasten,  such  a  peal  shall  rouse  their  sleep. 

Then,  all  thy  saints  assembled,  thou  shalt  judge 


72  PARADISE    LOf?T< 

Bad  iiieii  nnd  angels;  they  .'irraigned  sliall  sink 

Beneath  thy  sentence;  Hell,  her  numbers  full, 

Thenceforth  shall  be  forever  shut.     Meanwhile 

The  Avorld  shall  burn,  and  from  her  ashes  spring 

New  Heaven  and  earth,  wherein  the  just  shall  dwell, 

And  after  all  their  tribulations  long 

See  golden  days,  fruitful  of  golden  deeds, 

With  joy  and  love  triumphing,  and  fair  truth. 

Then  thou  thy  regal  sceptre  shalt  lay  by, 

For  regal  sceptre  tlien  no  more  shall  need; 

(lod  shall  be  all  in  all.     But,  all  ye  gods, 

Adore  him  who  to  compass  all  this  dies ; 

Adore  the  Son,  and  honour  him  as  me." 

N"o  sooner  had  the  Almighty  ceased,  but  all 
The  multitude  of  angels,  with  a  shout 
Loud  as  from  numbers  without  number,  Rweet 
As  from  blessed  voices,  uttering  joy.  Heaven  rung 
With  jubilee,  and  loud  Hosannas  filled 
The  eternal  regions  :  lowly  reverent 
Towards  either  throne  they  bow,  and  to  the  ground 
With  solemn  adoration  down  they  cast 
Their  crowns  inwove  with  amarant  and  gold; 
Immortal  amarant,  a  flower  which  once 
In  Paradise,  fast  by  the  tree  of  life. 
Began  to  bloom  ;  but  soon  for  man's  offence 
To  Heaven  removed,  where  first  it  grew,  there  grows, 
And  flowers  aloft  shadhig  the  fount  of  life. 
And  where  the  river  of  bliss  through  midst  of  Heaven 
Rolls  o'er  Elysian  flowers  her  amber  stream; 
With  these,-that  never  fade,  the  spii-its  elect 
Bind  their  resplendent  locks  enwrcathed  with  beams  : 
Now  in  loose  garlands  thick  thrown  off,  the  bright 
Pavement,  that  like  a  sea  of  jas])er  shone, 
Empurpled  with  celestial  roses,  smiled. 
Then,  crowned  again,  their  golden  harps  they  took, 
Hai-ps  ever  tuned,  that  glittering  by  their  side 
Like  quivers  hung,  and  with  preamble  sweet 
Of  charming  symphony  they  introduce 
Their  sacred  song,  and  waken  raptures  high  ; 
No  voice  exempt,  no  voice  but  well  could  join 


rAKADlSK    LOST,  "  73 

Melodious  ));ir1,  sucli  concord  is  in  ITcnvcn. 

"■  Tiico,  Fntlier,"  first  they  sung,  "  Omnipolent, 
Immutable,  Immortal,  Infinite, 
Eternal  King;  thee,  Autlior  of  all  being, 
Fountain  of  light,  tliyself  invisible 
Amidst  the  glorious  brightness  where  thou  sitt'st 
Throned  inaccessible,  but  when  thou  shad'st 
The  full  blaze  of  thy  beams,  and  through  a  cloud 
Drawn  round  about  thee  like  a  radiant  shrine, 
Dark  with  excessive  bright  thy  skirts  appear, 
Yet  dazzle  Heaven,  that  brightest  sera])lum 
Ap])roach  not,  but  with  both  wings  veil  their  eyes. 
Thee,"  next  they  sang,  "  of  all  creation  first, 
Begotten  Son,  Divine  Similitude, 
In  whose  consj)icuous  count'nance,  without  cloud 
Made  visible,  the  Almighty  Father  shines. 
Whom  else  no  creature  can  behold ;  on  thee 
Im])ressed  tlie  effulgence  of  his  glory  abides, 
Transfused  on  thee  his  amj^le  Spirit  rests. 
He  Heaven  of  Heavens,  arid  all  the  powers  therein 
By  thee  created,  and  by  thee  threw  down 
The  aspiring  dominations:  thou  that  day 
Thy  Father's  dreadful  thunder  didst  not  spare. 
Nor  stop  thy  flaming  chariot  wheels,  that  shook 
Heaven's  evei-lasting  frame,  while  o'er  the  necks 
Thou  drov'st  of  warring  angels  disarrayed 
Back  fi-om  pursuit  thy  powers  with  loud  acclaim 
Thee  only  extolled,  Son  of  thy  Father's  might, 
To  execute  fierce  vengeance  on  his  foes, 
Not  so  on  man  :  him,  through  their  malice  fallen, 
Father  of  mercy  and  grace,  thou  didst  not  doom 
So  strictly,  but  much  more  to  pity  inclined: 
No  sooner  did  thy  dear  and  only  Son 
I'ereeive  thee  purjtosed  not  to  doom  frail  man 
So  strictly,  but  nnu^h  more  to  pity  incline. 
He,  to  appease  thy  wrath,  and  end  the  strife 
Of  mercy  and  justice  in  thy  face  discerned, 
Recjardless  of  the  bliss  M-herein  he  sat 
Sccoml  to  thee,  offered  himself  to  die 
For  man's  offence.  I  O  unexampled  love, 


71  PARADISE    LOST. 

Lovo  nowhere  to  be  found  less  tluin  Divine  !  / 
Hail,  Son  of  God,  Saviour  of  men !  thy  name 

Sliall  be  tbe  co))ious  matter  of  my  song 
Iloneeforth,  and  never  sliall  my  heart  "thy  praise 
Forget,  nor  from  thy  Father's  praise  disjoin." 

Thus  they  in  Heaven,  above  the  stai-ry  s])here, 
Their  happy  hours  iu  joy  and  hymning  spent. 
Meanwhile  upon  the  firm  opacous  globe 
Of  this  round  world,  whose  first  convex  divides 
The  luminous  inferior  orbs  inclosed 
From  Chaos,  and  the  inroad  of  Darkness  old, 
Satan  alighted  walks  :  a  globe  far  off 
It  seemed,  now  seems  a  boundless  continent, 
Dark,  waste,  and  wild,  under  the  frown  of  night 
Starless  exposed,  and  ever-threatening  storms 
Of  Chaos  blustering  round,  inclement  sky  ; 
Save  on  that  side  which  from  the  wall  of  Heaven, 
Thougli  distant  far,  some  small  refiection  gains 
Of  glimmering  air  less  vexed  with  tempest  loud  : 
Here  A\alked  the  fiend  at  large  in  spacious  field. 
As  when  a  vulture  on  Imaus  bred, 
Whose  snowy  ridge  the  roving  Tartar  bounds, 
Dislutlging  from  a  region  scarce  of  J>rey 
To  gorge  the  flesh  of  lambs  or  yeanling  kids 
On  liills  where  flocks  are  fed,  flies  toward  the  springs 
Of  Ganges  or  Hydaspes,  Indian  streams ; 
But  in  his  way  lights  on  the  barren  plains 
Of  Sericana,  where  Chineses  drive 
With  sails  and  wind  their  cany  wagons  light; 
So  oil  this  windy  sea  of  land,  the  Hend 
Walked  up  and  down  alone,  bent  on  his  prey ; 
Alone,  for  other  creature  in  this  place 
Living  or  lifeless  to  be  found  was  none  ; 
None  yet,  but  store  hereafter  from  the  earth 
Up  hither  like  aerial  vapours  flew 
Of  all  things  transitory  ;.nd  vain,  when  sin 
With  vanity  had  filbd  :ho  works  of  men  ; 
I>oth  all  things  vain,  and  Jl  who  in  vain  things 
Huilt  their  fond  hopes  of  glory  or  lasting  fame, 
Or  hai)]»incss  in  this  or  the  other  life: 


PARADISE    LOST. 


75 


All  who  liHVC  their  reward  on  earth,  the  fruits 

f)f  [lainful  superstition  and  blind  zeal, 

No'nuht  seeking  but  the  praise  of  men,  here  find 

Kit  retribution,  empty  as  their  deeds; 

7\ll  tir  unaceouiplished  works  of  Nature's  hand, 

Aboi-tive,  monstrous,  or  unkindly  mixed,  _ 

Dissolved  on  earth,  fleet  hither,  and  in  vain, 

Till  final  dissolution,  wander  liere, 

Not  in  tlie  neighbouring  moon,  as  soine  have  dreamed; 

Those  argent  fields  more  likely  habitants, 

Translated  saints,  or  middle  spirits,  hold, 

Betwixt  the  angelical  and  human  kinil. 

Hither  of  ill-joined  sons  and  daughters  born 

First  from  the  aneient  world  those  giants  came 

With  many  a  vain  exploit,  though  then  renowned, 

The  builders  next  of  Babel  on  the  ])lain 

Of  Seiinaar,  and  still  with  vain  design 

New  Babels,  liad  they  wherewithal,  would  build : 

Others  came  single;  he  who  to  be  deemed 

A  god,  lea])ed  fondly  into  iEtna  flames, 

Empedocles  ;  and  he  who  to  enjoy 

Plato's  Elysium,  leaped  into  tlie  sea, 

Cleombrotus ;  and  many  more  too  long, 

Embryos  and  idiots,  eremites  and  friars. 

White,  black,  and  gray,  with  all  their  trumpery. 

Ileix'  i)ilgrims  roam,  that  strayed  so  far  to  see 

In  Golgotha  him  dead,  who  lives  in  Heaven  ; 

And  I  hey  who  to  be  sure  of  Paradise 

l)ying  |)ut  on  tlie  weeds  of  Dominic, 

Or  in  Franciscan  think  to  pass  disguised  ; 

Tluv  pass  the  planets  seven,  and  pass  the  fixed, 

And  tiiat  crystalline  sphere  whose  balance  weighs 

'J'he  trepidation  talked,  and  that  first  inoved  ; 

And  now  Saint  Peter  at  Heaven's  wicket  seems 

To  wait  them  with  his  keys,  and  now  at  foot 

Of  Heaven's  ascent  they  lift  theii-  feet,  when  lo  ! 

A  violent  cross-wind  from  either  coast 

Blows  ihem  transverse  ten  thousand  leagues  awry 

Into  the  devious  air;  then  might  ye  see 

Cowls,  hoods,  and  habits  with  their  wearers  tost 


76  PARADISE    LOST. 

And  fluttered  into  rags;  tlicn  relics,  beads, 

Indulgences,  dispenses,  pardons,  bulls, 

The  s])ort  of  winds :  all  these  npwhirled  aloft, 

Fly  o'er  the  backside  of  the  world  far  off 

Into  a  limbo  large  and  broad,  since  called 

The  Paradise  of  Fools,  to  few  unknown 

Long  after,  now  un])eopled,  and  untrod. 

Ail  tills  dark  globe  the  fiend  found  as  he  passed. 

And  long  he  wandered,  till  at  last  a  gleam 

Of  dawninof  liffht  tui-ned  thitherwai'd  in  haste 

His  travelled  steps  ;  far  distant  he  descries, 

Ascending  by  degrees  magnificent 

Up  to  the  wall  of  Heaven,  a  structure  high  ; 

ylt  top  whereof,  but  far  more  rich,  ap})eared 

The  work  as  of  a  kingly  palace  gate, 

With  frontispiece  of  diamond  and  gold 

Embellished  ;  thick  with  sparkling  orient  gems 

The  portal  shone,  inimitable  on  earth 

By  model,  or  hy  shading  pencil  drawn. 

The  stairs  were  such  as  whereon  Jacob  saw 

Angels  ascending  and  descending,  bands 

Of  guardians  briglit,  wlien  he  from  Esau  fled 

To  Padan-Aram,  in  the  field  of  Luz, 

Dreaming  by  night  under  the  open  sky. 

And  waking  cried,  '  This  is  the  gate  of  Heaven.' 

Each  stair  mysterioush-  was  meant,  nor  stood 

There  always,  but  drawn  up  to  Heaven  soniefimet 

Viewless  ;  and  underneath  a  bright  sea  flowed 

Of  jasper,  or  of  liquid  pearl,  whereon 

Who  after  came  from  earth,  sailing  arrived, 

Wafted  by  angels,  or  flew  o'er  the  lake 

Iva])t  in  a  chariot  drawn  by  fiery  steeds. 

The  stairs  were  then  let  down,  whether  to  dare 

The  fiend  by  easy  ascent,  or  aggi-avatc 

His  sad  exclusion  from  the  doors  of  bliss  : 

Direct  against  which  opened  from  beneath, 

Just  o'er  the  blissful  seat  of  Paradise, 

A  passage  down  to  the  eartli,  a  passage  wide, 

Wider  by  far  than  that  of  after  times 

Over  Mount  Sion,  and,  though  that  were  large, 


I'ARADISE    LOST.  77 

Over  the  promised  land  to  (^od  so  dear, 

By  wliicli,  to  visit  oft  tliose  hapj>y  tribes, 

On  ]ii<v]i  behests  his  angels  to  and  fro 

Passo<l  frequent,  and  his  eye  Avitli  choice  regard 

i^'roni  Paneas,  tlio  fount  of  Jordan's  flood, 

'^,^:>  Becrsaba,  wliere  the  Holy  Land 

Borders  on  Egypt  ami  the  Arabian  shore  ; 

So  wide  the  opening  seemed,  wliere  bounds  were  set 

To  darkness,  such  as  bound  tiie  ocean  wave. 

Satan  from  lience,  now  on  the  lower  stair. 

That  scaled  l)y  steps  of  gohl  to  Ileaven-gate, 

Looks  down  witli  wonder  at  the  sudden  view 

Of  all  this  world  at  once.     As  when  a  scout 

Through  dark  and  desert  ways  with  peril  gone 

AU  night,  at  last  by  break  of  clieerful  dawn 

Obtains  the  brow  of  some  high-climbing  hill, 

Which  to  his  eye  discovers  unaware 

The  goodly  prospect  of  some  foreign  land 

First  seen,  or  some  renowned  metropolis, 

With  glistering  spires  and  pinnacles  adorned. 

Which  now  the  rising  sun  glides  with  his  beams: 

Such  wonder  seized,  though  after  Heaven  seen, 

The  spirit  malign,  but  much  more  envy  seized, 

At  sight  of  all  this  world  beheld  so  fair. 

Round  he  surveys  (and  well  might,  where  he  stood 

So  high  above  the  circling  canopy 

Of  night's  extended  shade),  from  eastern  point 

Of  Libra  to  the  fleecy  star  that  bears 

Andromeda  far  off  Atlantic  seas, 

Beyond  the  horizon  ;  then  from  pole  to  pole 

He  views  in  breadth,  and  without  longer  pause 

Down  right  into  the  world's  first  region  throws 

His  flight  precipitant,  and  winds  with  ease 

Through  the  pure  marble  air  his  oblique  way 

Amongst  innumerable  stars,  that  slione 

Stars  distant,  but  nigh  hand  seemed  other  worlds ; 

Or  other  worlds  they  seemed,  or  happy  isles, 

Like  those  Hesperian  gardens  famed  of  old, 

Fortunate  fields,  and  groves,  and  flowery  vales; 

Thrice  happy  isles,  but  who  dwelt  hap])y  there 


78  PARADISE    LOST. 

lie  staid  not  to  inquire:  above  them  all 

The  goHen  sun,  in  splendour  likest  Heaven, 

Allured  his  eye  :  thither  liis  course  he  bends 

Tlirough  the  calm  firmament  (but  up  or  down, 

Wy  centre,  or  eccentric,  hard  to  tell, 

Or  longitude),  where  the  great  luminary 

Aloof  the  vulgar  constellations  thick. 

That  from  his  lordly  eye  keep  distance  due, 

Dispenses  light  from  far ;  they  as  they  move 

Their  starry  dance  in  numbers  that  compute 

Days,  months,  and  years,  towards  his  all-cheering  lamp 

Turn  swift  their  various  motions,  or  are  turned 

By  his  magnetic  beam,  that  gently  warms 

The  universe,  and  to  each  inward  part 

With  gentle  penetration,  though  unseen, 

Shoots^ invisible  virtue  even  to  the  deep; 

So  wondrously  was  set  his  station  bright. 

There  lands  the  fiend,  a  spot  like  which,  perhaps, 

Astronomer  in  the  sun's  lucent  orb 

Through  his  glazed  optic  tube  yet  never  saw. 

The  place  he  found  beyond  expression  bright. 

Compared  with  aught  on  earth,  metal  or  stone  > 

Not  all  parts  like,  but  all  alike  informed 

With  radiant  light,  as  glowing  iron  with  fire ; 

If  metal,  part  seemed  gold,  part  silver  clear  •, 

If  stone,  carbuncle  most,  or  chrysolite. 

Ruby  or  topaz,  to  the  twelve  that  shone 

In  Aaron's  breast])late,  and  a  stone  besides 

Imagined  rather  oft  than  elsewhere  &een. 

That  stone,  or  like  to  that,  which  here  below 

Philosophei-s  in  vain  so  long  have  sought; 

In  vain,  though  by  their  powerful  art  they  bind 

Volatile  Hermes,  and  call  up  unbound 

In  various  shapes  old  Pi-oteus  from  the  sea, 

Drained  through  a  limbec  to  his  native  form. 

What  wonder  then  if  fields  and  regions  here 

Breathe  forth  elixir  pure,  and  rivers  run 

i'ortablo  gold,  when  with  one  virtuous  touch 

The  arch-chemic  sun,  so  far  from  us  remote, 

Produces,  with  terrestrial  humour  mixed, 


PARADISE    LOST.  76 

Here  in  tlie  dark  so  niany^  precious  things 
Of  colour  glorious  and  effect  so  rare  ? 
Here  matter  new  to  gaze  the  devil  met 
Undazzled  ;  far  and  wide  his  eye  commands; 
For  sight  no  obstacle  found  hero,  nor  shade, 
But  all  sunshine,  as  when  his  beams  at  noon 
Culminate  from  the  equator,  as  they  now 
Shot  upward  still  direct,  Avhence  no  way  round 
Shadow  from  bod^  0])aque  can  fall ;  and  the  air, 
Nowhere  so  clear,  sharpened  his  visual  ray 
To  objects  distant  far,  whereby  he  soon 
Saw  within  ken  a  glorious  angel  stand, 
The  same  whom  John  saw  also  in  the  sun  : 
His  back  was  turned,  but  not  his  brightness  hid ; 
Of  beaming  sunny  rays  a  golden  tiar 
Circled  his  head,  nor  less  his  locks  behind 
Illustrious  on  hisshoulders,  fledge  with  wings. 
Lay  waving  round  ;  on  some  great  charge  employed 
He  seemed,  or  fixed  in  cogitation  deep. 
Glad  was  the  spirit  impure,  as  now  in  hope 
To  find  Avho  might  direct  his  wandering  flight 
To  Paradise,  the  hapjiy  seat  of  man, 
His  journey's  end,  and  our  beginning  woe. 
/But  first  he  casts  to  clvange  his  proper  shape, 
Which  else  might  work  him  danger  or  delay  : 
And  now  a  stripling  cherub  he  a])])ears, 
Not  of  tlie  prime,  yet  such  as  in  his  face 
Youth  smiled  celestial,  and  to  every  limb 
Suitable  grace  diffused,  so  well  he  feigned  ; 
Under  a  coronet  his  flowing  hair 
In  curls  on  either  cheek  played ;  wing  he  wore 
Of  many  a  coloured  plume,  s])rinkled  with  gold; 
His  habit  fit  for  speed  succinct,  and  held 
Before  liis  decent  steps  a  silver  wand. 
He  drew  not  nigh  unhealed  ;  the  angel  bright, 
Ere  he  drew  high,  his  radiant  visage  turned, 
Admonished  by  his  ear,  and  straight  was  known 
The  archangel  Uriel,  one  of  the  seven 
AVho  in  God's  ])resence,  nearest  to  his  throne, 
Stand  ready  at  command,  and  are  his  eyes 


so  PAKADISE    LOST. 

That  run  through  all  the  Heavens,  oi-  down  to  the  earth 
Bear  his  swift  errands,  over  moist  and  dry, 
O'er  sea  and  land  :  him  Satan  thus  accosts  : 

"  Uriel,  for  thou  of  those  seven  spirits  that  stand 
In  sight  of  God's  high  throne,  gloriously  bright, 
The  first  art  wont  his  great  authentic  will 
Interpreter  through  highest  Heaven  to  bring, 
Where  all  his  sons  thy  embassy  attend ; 
And  here  art  likeliest  by  supreme  decree 
Like  honour  to  obtain,  and,  as  his  eye 
To  visit  oft  this  new  creation  round  ; 
Unspeakable  desire  to  see,  and  know 
All  these  his  wondrous  works,  but  chiefly  man, 
His  chief  delight  and  favour,  him  for  whom 
All  these  his  works  so  Avondrous  he  ordained, 
Hath  brought  me  from  the  (piires  of  cherubim 
Alone  thus  wandering.     Brightest  seraph,  tell 
In  which  of  all  these  shining  orbs  hath  man 
His  fixed  seat,  or  fixed  seat  hath  none. 
But  all  these  shining  orbs  his  choice  to  dwell; 
That  I  may  find  him,  and  with  secret  gaze 
Or  open  admiration  him  behold. 
On  whom  the  great  Creator  hath  bestowed 
Worlds,  and  on  whom  hath  all  thes^  graces  poured; 
That  both  in  him  and  all  things,  as  is  meet, 
The  universal  Maker  we  may  praise. 
Who  justly  hath  driven  out  his  rebel  foes 
To  deepest  hell,  and  to  repair  that  loss 
Created  this  new  happy  race  of  men 
To  serve  him  better :  wise  are  all  his  ways." 
So  spake  the  false  dissembler  unperceived ; 

/^or  neither  man  nor  angel  can  discern 
Hypocrisy,  the  only  evil  that  Avalks 
Invisible,  except  to  God  alone. 
By  his  permissive  will,  through  Heaven  and  earth  :  / 

i^And  oft,  though  wisdom  wake,  suspicion  sleeps 
At  wisdom's  gate,  and  to  simplicity  * 

Resigns  her  charge,  \vliile  goodness  thinks  no  ill 
Where  no  ill  seems  :/which  now  for  once  beguiled 
Uriel,  though  regent  of  the  sun,  and  held 


PARADISE    LOST.  81 

Tlie  eliar))est-pigl)to(l  spirit  of  all  in  Heaven  ; 

Wlio  to  the  fraudulent  im])Ostor  foul 

In  his  ui)rightness  answer  thus  i-eturned  : 

"Fair  angel,  thy  desire,  Avhich  tends  to  know 
The  works  of  God,  thereby  to  glorify 
The  great  Work-Master,  leads  to  no  excesa 
That  reaches  blame,  but  rather  merits  praise 
The  more  it  seems  excess,  that  led  thee  hither 
From  thy  empyreal  mansion  thus  alone, 
To  witness  with  thine  eyes  what  some  perhaps. 
Contented  with  report,  hear  only  in  Heaven  : 
For  wonderful  indeed  are  all  his  works, 
Pleasant  to  know,  and  Avorthiest  to  be  all 
Had  in  remembrance  always  with  delight ; 
But  what  created  mind  can  comprehend 
Their  number,  or  the  wisdom  infinite 
That  brought  them  forth,  but  hid  their  causes  deepV 
I  saw  wdien  at  his  word  the  formless  mass. 
This  world's  material  mould,  came  to  a  heap  : 
Confusion  heard  his  voice,  and  wild  uproar 
Stood  ruled,  stood  '^-ast  infinitude  confined  ; 
Till  at  his  second  bidding  darkness  fled, 
Light  shone,  and  order  from  disorder  s])rung: 
Swift  to  their  several  quarters  liasted  then 
The  cumbrous  elements,  earth,  flood,  air,  fire ; 
And  this  ethereal  quintessence  of  Heaven 
Flew  ui)ward,  sj)irited  M'ith  various  forms, 
That  rolled  orbicular,  and  turned  to  stars 
Kumbei'less,  as  thou  seest,  and  how  they  move; 
Each  had  his  ])lace  appointed,  each  his  course  ; 
The  rest  in  circuit  walls  this  universe. 
Look  downward  on  that  globe,  whose  hither  side 
With  light  from  hence,  though  but  reflected,  shines; 
That  ])lace  is  earth,  the  seat  of  man  ;  that  light 
His  day,  whicli  else,  as  the  other  hemisj)here. 
Night  would  invade;  but  there  the  neighbouring  moon 
(80  call  that  oj)])Osite  fair  star)  her  aid 
Timely  interj)oses,  and  her  monthly  round 
Still  ending,  still  renewing,  through  mid  Heaven, 
With  borrowed  light  her  countenance  triform 


S2  PARADISE    LOST. 

Ilf^nco  fills  and  empties  to  enligliten  the  earth, 
And  in  her  pale  dominion  checks  the  night. 
That  spot  to  Avliich  I  point  is  Paradise, 
7\<him's  abode,  those  lofty  shades  his  bower. 
Thy  way  tliou  canst  not  miss,  me  mine  requires." 
Thus  said,  he  turned  ;  and  Satan,  bowing  low, 
As  to  su])erior  spirits  is  wont  in  Heaven, 
Whore  lionour  due  and  reverence  none  neglects. 
Took  leave,  and  toward  the  coast  of  earth  beneath, 
Down  from  the  ecliptic,  sped  with  hoped  success, 
Throws  his  steep  liight  in  many  an  airy  wheel. 
Nor  stayed,  tillou  Niphates'  top  he  lights. 


PAKAblSK    LOST. 


83 


BOOK  IV. 


THE   ARGUMEXT. 


Satan,  now  in  prospect  of  Eden,  and  nigh  the  place  where  he  must  now 
attempt  the  bold  enterprise  wliicli  lie  undertook  alone  against  God  and 
man,  falls  into  many  doubts  with  himself,  and  many  passions,  fear, 
envy,  and  despair  ;  but  at  length  confiiiiis  himself  in  evil,  journeys  on 
to  I'aradise,  whose  outward  prospects  and  situation  is  described,  ovpr- 
leaps  the  bounds,  sits  iu  the  shape  of  a  cormorant  on  the  tree  of  life,  as 
the  iiighest  in  the  garden,  to  look  about  him.  The  garden  described  ; 
Satan's  first  sight  of  Adam  and  Eve  ;  his  wonder  at  their  excellent  form  and 
haiipy  state,  but  with  resolution  to  work  their  fall  ;  overhears  their  dis- 
course, thence  gathers  tliat  the  tree  of  knowledge  was  forbidden  them  to 
eat  of,  under  penalty  of  death  ;  and  thereon  intends  to  found  his  tempta- 
tion, by  seducing  them  to  transgress  ;  then  leaves  them  awhile,  to  know 
further  of  their  state  by  some  other  means.  Meanwhile,  Uriel,  descend- 
ing; on  a  sunbeam,  warns  Gabriel,  who  had  in  chaige  the  gate  of  Para- 
dise, that  some  evil  spirit  had  escaped  the  deep,  and  passed  at  noon  by 
his  sphere  in  the  shape  of  a  good  angel  down  to  Paradise,  discovered 
after  bv  his  furious  gestures  iu  the  mount  Gabriel  promises  to  find  him 
ere  morning.  Night  coming  on,  Adam  and  Eve  discoui\se  of  going  to 
their  rest :' their  bower  described;  their  evening  worship.  Gabriel 
drawing  forth  his  bauds  of  night-watch  to  walk  the  rounds  of  Paradise, 
apixiints  two  strong  angels  to  Adam's  bower,  lest  the  evil  spirit  should 
be  there  doing  some  harm  to  Adam  or  Eve  sleeping  ;  there  they  find 
him  at  tlie  ear  of  Eve,  tempting  her  in  a  dream,  and  bring  him,  though 
unwilling,  to  Gabriel ;  by  whom  questioned,  he  scornfully  answers,  pre- 
pares resistance,  but,  hindered  by  a  sign  from  Heaven,  flies  out  uf  Par- 
adise. 

Oil  for  that  warning  voice,  which  he  who  saw 
The  Apocalypse,  heard  cry  in  Heaven  aloud, 
Then  wlien  the  dragon,  put  to  second  rout, 
Came  furious  down  to  be  revenged  on  men, 
"  Woe  to  the  inhabitants  on  earth  !  "  that  now, 
While  time  was,  our  first  parents  liad  been  warned 
The  coming  of  their  secret  foe,  and  'scaped, 
IIa])ly  so  'scaped  his  mortal  snare :  for  now 
Satan,  now  first  inflamed  with  rage,  came  down,    . 


PAKABIRK    LOST. 


The  teni])ter  ere  the  accuser  of  mankind, 

To  wreak  on  innocent  frail  man  liis  loss 

Of  that  first  battle,  and  his  flight  to  Hell : 

Yet  not  rejoicing  in  his  speed,  though  bold 

Far  off  and  fearless,  nor  with  cause  to  boast, 

Begins  his  dire  attem]»t;  which,  nigh  the  birth. 

Now  rolling  boils  in  his  tumultaous  breast, 

And  like  a  devilish  engine  back  recoils 

Upon  himself;  horror  and  doubt  distract 

His  troubled  thoughts,  and  from  the  bottom  stir 

The  Hell  within  him  ;  for  within  him  Hell 

He  brings,  and  round  about  liim,  nor  from  Hell 

One  step  no  more  than  from  himself  can  fly 

By  change  of  ])lacc  ;  now  consciejice  wakes  despair 

That  slumbered,  Avakes  the  bitter  memory 

Of  what  he  was,  A\'hat  is,  and  what  must  be 

Worse;  of  worse  deeds  worse  sufferings  must  ensue. 

Sometimes  towards  Eden,  which  now  in  his  view 

Lay  pleasant,  his  grieved  look  he  fixes  sad  ; 

Sometimes  towards  Heaven,  and  the  fidl  blazing  sun, 

Which  now  sat  high  in  his  meridian  tower: 

Then  much  revolving,  thus  in  siglis  began  : 

"O  tliou,  that,  witli  surpassing  glory  crowned, 
Look'st  f rom  tliy  sole  dominion,  like  the  god 
Of  this  new  wui-ld  ;  at  whose  sight  all  the  stars 
Hide  their  diminislied  heads;  to  thee  I  call. 
But  with  no  friendly  voice,  and  add  thy  name, 

0  sun  !  to  tell  thee  how  I  hate  thy  beams. 
That  bring  to  my  remembrance  from  what  state 

1  fell,  how  glorious  once  aboA^e  thy  sphere  ; 
Till  ))ride  and  worse  ambition  threw  me  down, 
Warring  in  Heaven  against  Heaven's  matchless  King  t 
Ah,  wherefore?     He  deserved  no  such  return 

From  me,  whom  he  created  what  I  was 
In  that  bright  eminence,  and  with  his  good 
Upbraided  none;  nor  was  his  service  hard. 
What  could  be  less  than  to  afford  him  ]>raise, 
The  easiest  recom])ense,  and  ])ay  him  thanks? 
How  due!  yet  all  his  good  proved  ill  in  me, 
And  wrought  but  malice  ;  lifted  up  so  higli 


PARAmSE    LOST.  85 

I  sdoined  suhjection,  and  tlionglit  one  step  liiglier 

Would  set  me  lugliest,  and  in  a  moment  quit 

The  debt  immense  of  endless  gratitude, 

So  burdensome  still  paying,  still  to  owe, 

Forgetful  Avliat  from  liini  1  still  received  ; 

And  understood  not  that  a  grateful  mind 

By  owing  owes  not,  but  still  pays,  at  once 

Indebted  and  discharged  ;  what  burden  then? 

Oh,  had  his  jiowerful  destiny  ordained 

Me  some  inferior  angel,  I  had  stood 

Then  happy  ;  no  unbounded  hope  had  raised 

Ambition.     Yet  why  not?  some  other  ])Ower 

As  great  might  have  aspii-ed,  and  me,  though  mean, 

Drawn  to  liis  ]>art;  but  other  powers  as  great 

Fell  not,  but  stand  unshaken,  from  within 

Or  from  -without,  to  all  temptations  armed. 

Iladst  tliou  the  same  free  will  and  power  to  stand.? 

Thou  hadst  :  whom  liast  thou  then  or  what  to  accuse, 

But  Heaven's  free  love  dealt  equally  to  all  ? 

Be  then  his  love  accursed,  since  love  or  hate, 

To  me  alike,  it  deals  eternal  woe. 

Nay,  cursed  be  thou  ;  since  against  his  thy  will 

Chose  freely  what  it  now  so  justly  rues. 

Me  miserable !  which  way  shall  I  fly 

Infinite  wrath  and  infinite  despair? 

Which  way  I  fly  is  Hell ;  myself  am  Hell ; 

And  in  the  lowest  deep  a  lower  deep 

Still  threatening  to  devour  me  opens  M'ide, 

To  which  the  Hell  I  suffer -seems  a  Heaven. 

Oh,  then  at  last  relent  :  is  there  no  ])lace 

Left  for  re])entance,  none  for  pardon  left  ? 

None  left  but  by  submission  ;  and  that  word 

Disdain  forbids  me,  and  my  dread  of  shame 

Among  the  spirits  beneath,  Avliom  I  seduced 

With  other  ))romises  and  other  vaunts 

Than  to  submit,  boastinir  I  could  subdue 

The  Omuipotent.     Ay  me  !  they  little  know 

How  dearly  I  abide  that  boast  so  vain, 

TJnder  what  torments  inwardly  I  groan, 

While  they  adore  me  on  the  throne  of  Hell. 


86  paradisk  roST. 

With  diadem  nnd  sceptre  high  advanced, 

The  lower  still  I  fall,  only  supreme 

In  misery;  such  joy  ambition  finds. 

But  say  I  could  re])ent,  and  could  obtain 

By  act  of  grace  my  former  state  ;  how  soon 

Would  height  recall  high  thoughts,  how  soon  unsay 

What  feigned  submission  swore  !  ease  would  recant 

Vows  made  in  pain,  as  violent  and  void. 

For  never  can  true  reconcilement  grow 

Where  wounds  of  deadly  hate  have  pierced  so  deep: 

Which  would  bu-t  lead  me  to  a  worse  relapse 

And  heavier  fall :  so  should  I  purchase  dear 

Short  intermission,  bought  with  double  smart. 

This  knows  my  ]»unisher  ;  therefore  as  far 

From  granting  he,  as  I  from  begging  peace: 

All  hope  excluded  thus,  behold  instead 

Of  us  outcast,  exiled,  his  new  delight, 

Mankind  created,  and  for  hini  this  world. 

So  farewell  hope,  and  with  hope,  farewell  fear, 

Farewell  remorse:  all  good  to  me  is  lost; 

Evil,  be  thou  my  good  ;  by  thee  at  least 

Divided  em})ire  with  Heaven's  King  I  hold, 

By  thee,  and  more  than  half  perhaps  will  reign ; 

As  man  ere  long  and  this  new  world  shall  know." 

Thus  while  he  spake,  each  passion  dimmed  his  face, 
Thrice  changed  with  pale  ire,  envy  and  despair; 
Which  marred  his  borrowed  visage,  and  betrayed 
Jlim  counterfeit,  if  any  eye  beheld. 
For  heavenly  minds  ivom  such  distempers  foul 
Are  ever  clear.     Whereof  he  soon  aware. 
Each  perturbation  smoothed  witii  outward  calm, 
Artificer  of  fraud  ;  and  was  the  first 
That  practised  falsehood  under  saintly  show, 
Deep  malice  to  conceal,  couched  with  revenge  ; 
Yet  not  enough  had  practised  to  deceive 
Uriel  once  warned;  whose  eye  pursued  him  down 
The  wav  he  went,  flnd  on  the  Assyrian  mount 
Saw  him  disfigured,  more  than  could  befall 
Spirit  of  happy  sort :  his  gestures  fierce 
IJle  marked  aud  mad  demeanour,  then  alone, 


PARADfSK    LOST.  87 

As  lie  sn),)poRe(l,  all  luioliserved,  unseen. 

So  on  lie  fares,  and  to  the  bonier  comes 

Of  Eden,  where  delicious  Paradise, 

Now  nearer,  crowns  with  her  enclosure  n;reen, 

As  with  a  rural  mound,  the  champaign  head 

Of  a  steep  wilderness,  whose  hairy  sides 

With  tliicket  overgrown,  grotesque  and  wild, 

Access  denied;  and  overhead  u])  grew 

Insuperable  height  of  loftiest  shade. 

Cedar,  and  pine,  and  fir,  and  branching  palm, 

A  sylvan  scene,  and  as  the  ranks  ascend 

Shade  above  shade,  a  Avoody  theatre 

Of  stateliest  view.     Yet  higher  than  their  topa 

The  verdurous  wall  of  Paradise  up-sprung: 

Which  to  our  general  sire  gave  pros])ect  large 

Into  his  nether  empire  neighbouring  round. 

And  higher  than  that  wall  a  circling  row 

Of  goo'dliest  trees  loaden  with  fairest  fruit, 

J>lossoms  and  fruits  at  once,  of  golden  hue. 

Appeared,  with  gay  enamelled  colours  mixed: 

On  which  the  sun  more  glad  impressed  his  beams 

Than  in  fair  evening  cloud,  or  humid  bow, 

When  God  hath  showered  the  earth  ;  so  lovely  seemed 

That  landscape ;  and  of  pure,  now  purer  air 

Meet5  his  apjiroach,  and  to  the  heart  inspires 

Vernal  delight  and  joy,  able  to  drive 

All  sadness  but  despair  :  now  gentle  gales, 

Fanning  their  odoriferous  wings,  dispense 

Native  perfumes,  and  whisper  whence  they  stole 

Those  balmy  si)oils.     As  when  to  them  who  sail 

Beyond  the  Cape  of  Hope,  and  now  are  past 

Mozambic,  off  at  sea  north-east  winds  blow 

Sabean  odours  from  the  spicy  shore 

Of  Araby  the  Blest ;  with  such  delay 

Well  i)leased  they  sliick  their  course,  and  many  a  league 

Cheered  with  the  grateful  smell  old  Ocean  smiles: 

So  entertained  those  odorous  sweets  the  tiend 

Who  came  their  bane,  though  with  them  better  pleased 

Than  Asmodiius  with  the  fishy  fume. 

That  drove  him,  though  enamoured,  from  the  spouse 


88  PARADISE    LOST. 

Of  T<'l)it's  Son,  and  with  a  vengeance  sent. 
From  Media  ])Ost  to  Kgypt,  tliere  fast  bound. 
Now  to  the  ascent  of  that  steep  savage  hill 
Satan  had  journeyed  on,  jiensive  and  slow; 
But  fuillier  way  found  none,  so  thick  entwined, 
As  one  continued  brake,  the  undergrowth 
Of  shrubs  and  tangling  bushes  had  perplexed 
All  patli  of  man  or  beast  that  ]>assed  that  Avay : 
One  gate  there  only  was,  and  that  looked  east 
On  the  other  side  :  Avhich,  when  the  arch-felon  saw, 
Due  entrance  he  disdained,  and  in  contempt, 
At  one  slight  bound  high  overleaped  all  bound 
Of  hill  or  highest  Avail,  and  sheer  within 
Lights  on  his  feet.     As  when  a  proAvliiigAvolf, 
Whom  hunger  driA'CS  to  seek  new  haunt  for  prey, 
Watching  where  shepherds  pen  their  flocks  at  eve 
In  hurdled  cotes  amid  the  field  secure, 
Lea] is  o'er. the  fence  with  ease  into  the  fold : 
Or  as  a  thief  bent  to  unhoard  the  cash 
Of  some  rich  burgher,  whose  substantial  door, 
Cross-barred  and  bolted  fast,  fear  no  assault, 
In  at  the  AvindoAv  climbs,  or  o'er  the  tiles  : 
So  clomb  this  first  grand  thief  into  God's  fold; 
So  since  into  his.  church  IcAvd  hirelings  climb. 
Thence  uj)  he  flcAV,  and  on  the  tree  of  life,    ■ 
The  middle  tree  and  highest  there  that  grcAV, 
Sat  like  a  cormorant :  yet  not  true  life 
Thereby  regained,  but  sat  devising  death 
To  them  Avho  lived;  nor  on  the  virtue  thought 
Of  that  life-giving  plant,  but  only  used 
For  ])ros]iect,  Avliat,  well  used,  had  been  the  pledge 
Of  immortality.     So  little  knows 
Any,  but  God  alone,  to  value  right 
The  good  befoi-e  him,  but  perverts  best  things 
To  worst  abuse,  or  to  their  meanest  use. 
iJeneath  him  with  new  wonder  now  he  views 
To  all  delight  of  human  sense  exposed 
In  narrow  room  Nature's  whole  Avealth,  yea,  more, 
A  Heaven  on  earth  :  for  blissful  Paradise 
Of  God  the  garden  was,  by  him  in  the  oast 


PARADISE    LOST.  89 

Of  P^den  planted  ;  Eden  stretched  lier  line 

From  Aunvii  eastward  to  the  royal  towers 

Of  great  Selcucia,  built  by  Grecian  knigs, 

Or  wliei-e  tlio  sons  of  Eden  long  before 

Dwelt  in  Telassar :  in  this  pleasant  soil 

His  far  more  ))leasant  garden  God  ordained  ; 

Out  of  the  fertile  ground  he  caused  to  grow 

^\11  trees  of  noblest  kind  for  sight,  smelJ,  taste; 

And  all  amid  them  stood  the  tree  of  life, 

High  eminent,  blooming  ambrosial  fruit 

Of  vegetable  gold  ;  and  next  to  life, 

Our  death,  the  tree  of  knowledge,  grew  fast  by, 

Knowledge  of  good,  bought  dear  by  knowing  ill. 

Southward  through  Eden  went  a  river  large. 

Nor  changed  his  course,  but  through  the  shaggy  hill 

Passed  underneath  engulfed  ;  for  God  had  thrown 

That  mountain  as  his  garden  mould  high  raised. 

Upon  the  rapid  current,  which  through  veins 

Of  porous  earth  with  kindly  thirst  up-drawn, 

Rose  a  fresh  fountain,  and  with  many  a  rill 

Watered  the  garden ;  thence  united  fell  . 

Down  the  steep  glade,  and  met  the  nether  flood, 

Which  from  his  darksome  passage  now  appears, 

And  now  divided  into  four  main  streams, 

Kuns  diverse,  wandering  many  a  famous  realm 

And  country,  whereof  here  needs  no  account ; 

But  rather  to  tell  how,  if  art  could  tell, 

How  from  that  sapphire  fount  the  crisped  brooks, 

liolling  on  orient  pearl  and  sands  of  gold, 

With  mazy  error  under  pendent  shades 

Ran  nectar,  visiting  each  plant,  and  fed 

Flowers  worthy  of  Paradise,  which  not  nice  art 

In  beds  an<l  curious  knots,  but  Nature  boon 

Poured  forth  profuse  on  hill,  and  dale,  and  plain, 

Both  where  the  morning  sun  first  warmly  smote 

The  opQu  field,  and  where  the  unpierced  shade 

Imbrowned  the  noontide  bowers:  thus  was  this  place 

A  happy  rural  seat  of  various  view  ; 

Groves  whose  rich  trees  wept  odorous  gums  ami  palm, 

Others  vrhose  fruit  burnished  with  troldeu  rind. 


00  PAUADISE    LOST. 

lluiig  niiiinble  (Hospei-ian  fables  true, 

If  true,  here  only),  and  of  delicious  taste. 

Betwixt  them  lawns,  or  level  downs,  and  flocks 

Grazing  the  tender  herb,  were  interposed, 

Or  palmy  hillock  ;  or  the  flowery  lap 

Of  some  irriguous  valley  spread  her  store, 

Flowers  of  all  hue,  and  without  thorn  the  rose  : 

Another  side,  umbrageous  grots  and  caves 

Of  cool  recess,  o'er  which  the  mantling  vine 

Lays  forth  her  purple  grape,  and  gently  creeps 

Luxuriant ;  meanwhile  murmuring  waters  fall 

Down  the  slope  hills,  dispersed,  or  in  a  lake. 

That  to  the  fringed  bank  Avith  myrtle  crowned 

Her  crystal  mirror  holds,  unite  their  streams. 

The  birds  their  quire  apply ;  airs,  vernal  airs, 

Breathing  the  smell  of  fleld  and  grove,  attune 

The  trembling  leaves,  Avhile  universal  Pan, 

Knit  with  the  Graces  and  the  Hours  in  dance, 

Led  on  the  eternal  Spring.     Not  that  fair  field 

Of  Enna,  where  Proserpine  gathering  flowers, 

llerself  a  fairer  flower,  by  gloomy  Dis 

Was  gathered,  which  cost  Ceres  all  that  ])ain 

Te  seek  her  through  the  world  ;  nor  that  sweet  grove 

Of  Daphne  by  Orontes,  and  the  inspired 

Castalian  spring,  might  with  the  Paradise 

Of  Eden  strive  ;  nor  that  Nyseian  isle 

Girt  with  the  river  Triton,  where  old  Cham, 

Whom  Gentiles  Amnion  call,  and  Lybian  Jove, 

Hid  Amalthea  and  her  florid  son. 

Young  Bacchus,  from  his  stepdame  Phea's  eye; 

Nor  where  Abassin  kings  their  issue  guard. 

Mount  Amara,  though  this  by  some  su])posed 

True  Paradise,  unde'r  the  Ethiop  line, 

By  Nil  us'  head,  enclosed  with  shining  rock, 

A  Avhole  day's  journey  liigh,  but  Avide  remote 

From  this  Assyrian  garden,  wliere  the  fiend 

Saw  undelightcd  all  delight,  all  kind 

Of  living  creatures,  new'to  sight,  and  strange. 

Two  of  "far  nobler  shade,  erect  and  tall, 

Godlike  erect,  with  native  honour  clad, 


PARADISE    LOST.  01 

In  Tiakcfl  ninjcsty,  seemcfl  lords  of  nil, 

Ami  worth y  seeined  ;  for  in  their  looks  divine 

'^Phe  imnge  of  their  glorious  Maker  shone  ; 

Truth,  wisdom,  sanctitude  severe  and  pure 

(Severe,  but  in  true  filial  freedom  placed), 

"W'hence  true  authority  in  men  ;  though  both 

Not  equal,  as  their  sex  not  equal  seemed  ; 

For  conteiii])lation  he  and  valour  formed  ; 

For  softness  she,  and  sweet  attractive  grace  ; 

He  for  God  only,  she  for  God  in  him  : 

His  fair  large  front,  and  eye  sublime,  declared 

Absolute  rule  ;  and  hyacinthinc  locks 

Round  from  his  ])arted  forelock  manly  hung 

Clustei'ing,  but  not  beneath  his  shoulders  broad: 

She,  as  a  veil,  down  to  the  slender  waist 

Her  unadorned  golden  tresses  wore 

Dishevelled,  but  in  wanton  linglets  waved. 

As  the  vine  curls  her  tendrils,  which  implied 

Subjection,  but  inquired  with  gently  sway, 

And  by  her  yielded,  by  him  best  received. 

Yielded  with  coy  submission,  modest  pride, 

And  sweet,  reluctant,  amorous  delay. 

Nor  those  mysterious  parts  were  then  concealed; 

Then  Avas  not  guilty  shame  :  dishonest  shame 

Of  nature's  works,  honour  dishonourable. 

Sin-bred,  how  have  ye  troubled  all  mankind 

With  shows  instead,  mere  shows  of  seeming  pure, 

And  banished  from  man's  life  his  happiest  life, 

Simplicity  and  spotless  innocence  ! 

So  passed  they  naked  on,  nor  shunned 

The  sight  of  God  or  angel,  for  they  thought  no  ill : 

So  hand  in  hand  they  passed,  the  loveliest  pair 

That  ever  since  in  love's  embraces  met ; 

Adam,  the  goodliest  man  of  men  since  born, 

His  sons  ;  tTie  fairest  of  her  daughters  Eve. 

Under  a  tuft  of  shade  that  on  a  green 

Stood  whis|X'ring  soft,  by  a  fresh  fountain  side 

They  sat  them  down  ;  and,  after  no  more  toil 

Of  their  sweet  gardening  labour  than  sufficed 

To  recommend  cool  zephyr,  and  made  ease 


r 


92  PAHADISK    LOST, 

More  easy,  wholesome  thirst  and  appetite 
More  grateful,  to  their  supper  fruits  they  fell ; 
Nectarine  fruits,  wliich  the  compliant  boughs 
Yielded  them  ;  sidelong  as  they  sat  recline 
On  the  soft  downy  bank  damasked  with  flowers: 
The  savory  pulp  they  chew,  and  in  the  rind 
Still  as  they  thirsted,  scoop  the  brimming  stream  : 
Nor  gentle  purpose,  nor  endearing  smiles 
Wanted,  nor  youthful  dalliance  as  beseems 
Fair  couple,  linked  in  happy  nuptial  league, 
Alone  as  they.     About  them  frisking  played 
All  beasts  of  the  earth,  since  Avild,  and  of  all  chase 
In  wood  or  wilderness,  forest  or  den  ; 
Sporting  the  lion  ramped,  and  in  his  paw 
Dandled  the  kid  ;  bears,  tigers,  ounces,  pards, 
Gambolled  before  them ;  the  unwieldy  elephant. 
To  make  them  mirth,  used  all  his  might,  and  wreathed 
His  lithe  proboscis  ;  close  the  sei-pent  sly 
Insinuating,  wove  with  Gordian  twine 
His  braided  train,  and  of  his  fatal  guile 
Gave  proof  unheeded  ;  others  on  the  grass 
Couched,  and  now  filled  with  pasture  gazing  sat, 
Or  bedward  ruminating ;  for  the  sun, 
Declined,  was  hastening  now  with  prone  career 
To  the  ocean  isles,  and  in  the  ascending  scale 
Of  Heaven,  the  stars  that  usher  evening  rose  : 
When  Satan,  still  in  gaze,  as  first  he  stood. 
Scarce  thus  at  length  failed  speech  recovered  sad : 
"  O  Hell !  what  do  mine  eyes  with  grief  behold ! 
Into  our  room  of  bliss  thus  high  advanced 
Creatures  of  other  mould,  earth-born,  perhaps, 
Not  spirits,  yet  to  heavenly  spirits  briglit 
Little  inferior ;  whom  my  thoughts  pursue 
With  wonder,  and  could  love,  so  lively  shines 
In  them  diviue  resemblance,  and  such  grace 
The  hand  that  formed  them  on  their  shape  hath  poured. 
Ah  !  gc-ntle  pair,  ye  little  think  how  nigh 
Your  change  approaches,  when  all  these  delights 
Will  vanish,  aud  deliver  ye  to  woe, 
More  woe,  the  more  your  taste  is  now  of  joy; 


TAUAPISK    T.OST.  98 

Happy,  but  for  so  liappy  ill  secured 

Long  to  continue,  and  this  high  seat,  your  heaven, 

111  fenced  for  Heaven  to  keep  out  such  a  foe 

As  now  is  entered ;  yet  no  purposed  foe 

To  you,  whom  I  could  pity  thus  forlorn, 

Though  I  unj)iticd  :  league  with  you  I  seek, 

And  mutual  amity  so  straight,  so  close, 

That  I  with  you  must  dwell,  or  you  Avith  me 

Henceforth  :  my  dwelling  haply  may  not  please, 

Like  this  fair  Paradise,  your  sense;  yet  such 

Accept  your  Maker's  work  ;  he  gave  it  me, 

Which  I  as  freely  give  :  Hell  shall  unfold 

To  entertain  you  two,  her  widest  gates, 

And  send  forth  all  her  kings  ;  there  will  be  room 

Not  like  these  narrow  limits,  to  receive 

Your  numerous  offspring  ;  if  no  better  place, 

Thank  him  who  puts  me  loth  to  this  revenge 

On  you  wlio  wrong  me  not  for  him  who  wronged. 

And  should  I  at  your  harmless  innocence 

Melt,  as  I  do,  yet  public  reason  just. 

Honour  and  empire,  with  revenge  enlarged, 

By  conquering  this  new  world,  compels  me  now 

To  do  what  else,  though  damned,  I  should  abhor.'* 

So  spake  the  fiend,  and  with  necessity, 
The  tyrant's  plea,  excused  his  devilish  deeds. 
Then  from  his  lofty  stand  on  that  high  tree 
Down  he  alights  among  the  sportful  herd 
Of  those  four-footed  kinds,  himself  now  one. 
Now  other,  as  their  sha]^e  served  best  his  end 
Nearer  to  view  his  prey,  and  unespied 
To  mark  what  of  their  state  he  more  might  learo 
By  Avord  or  action  marked :  about  them  roimd 
A  lion  now  he  stalks  Avith  fiery  glare; 
Then  as  a  tiger,  Avho  by  chance  hath  sjned 
In  some  purlieu  two  gentle  faAvns  at  play. 
Straight  couches  close,  then  rising,  changes  oft 
His  couchant  watch,  as  one  who  chose  his  ground, 
Whence  rushing  he  might  surest  seize  them  both, 
Griped  in  each  paw  :  Avhen  Adam,  first  of  men, 
To  first  of  women.  Eve,  thus  moving  speech, 


94  PARADISE    LOST. 

Turned  him,  all  ear  to  hear  new  utterance  flow: 
"  Sole  partner,  and  sole  part  of  all  these  joy?, 

Dearer  thvself  than  all ;  needs  must  the  Power 

That  made  us,  and  for  us  this  ample  world. 

Be  infinitely  good,  and  of  his  good 

As  liberal,  and  free  as  infinite; 

That  raised  us  from  the  dust,  and  placed  us  here 

In  all  this  happiness,  who  at  his  hand 

Have  nothing  merited,  nor  can  perform 

Aught  whereof  he  hath  need,  he  who  requires 

From  us  no  other  service  than  to  keep 

This  one,  this  easy  charge,  of  all  the  trees 

In  Paradise  that  bear  delicious  fruit 

So  various,  not  to  taste  that  only  tree 

Of  knowledge,  planted  by  the  tree  of  life  ; 

So  near  grows  death  to  life,  what'er  death  is, 

Some  dreadful  thing,  no  doubt ;  for  well  thou  knowest 

God  hath  pronounced  it  death  to  taste  that  tree, 

The  only  sign  of  our  obedience  left 

Among  so  7nany  signs  of  power  and  rule 

Couferr'd  upon  us,  and  dominion  given 

Over  all  other  creatures  that  possess 

Earth,  air,  and  sea.     Then  let  us  not  think  hard 

One  easy  ])rohibition,  who  enjoy 

Free  leave  so  large  to  all  things  else,  and  choice 

Unlimited  of  manifold  delights  : 

But  let  us  ever  praise  him,  and  extol 

His  bounty,  following  our  delightful  task. 

To  prune  these  growing  plants,  and  tend  these  flowers, 

Which  were  it  toilsome,  yet  with  thee  were  sweet." 
To  whom  thus  Eve  replied:  "  O  thou,  for  whom 

And  from  whom  I  was  formed,  flesh  of  thy  flesh. 

And  without  whom  am  to  no  end,  my  guide 

And  head,  what  thou  hast  said  is  just  and  right. 

For  we  to  him  indeed  all  praises  owe, 

And  daily  thanks ;  I  chiefly,  who  enjoy 

So  far  the  happier  lot,  enjoying  the^ 

Pre-eminent  by  so  much  odds,  while  thou 

Like  consort  to  thyself  canst  no  where  find. 

That  day  I  oft  remember,  when  from  sleep 


*'  Till  I  espied  thee,  fair  indeed  and  tall, 
Under  a  platain ;   yet,  methought,  less  fair. 
Less  winning  soft,  less  amiably  mild. 
Than  that  smooth  wat'ry  imag-." 


PAKADTRE    LOST.  96 

I  first  awaked,  and  found  myself  reposed 

Under  a  sliado  on  flowers,  much  wondering  where 

And  wliat  I  was,  whence  thither  brought,  and  how. 

Not  distant  far  from  thence  a  murmuring  sound 

Of  waters  issued  from  a  cave,  and  spread 

Into  a  liquid  plain,  then  stood  unmoved 

Pure  as  the  expanse  of  Heaven  ;  I  thither  went 

With  unexperienced  thought,  and  laid  me  down 

On  the  green  bank,  to  look  into  the  clear 

Smooth  lake,  tliat  to  me  seemed  another  sky. 

As  I  bent  down  to  look,  just  opposite 

A  shape  within  the  watery  gleam  appeared, 

Bending  to  look  on  me  ;  I  started  back. 

It  startp<l  back;  but  pleased  I  soon  returned, 

Pleased  it  returned  as  soon  with  answering  looka 

Of  sympathy  and  love  ;  there  I  had  fixed 

Hine  eyes  till  now,  and  j)ined  with  vain  desire. 

Had  not  a  voice  thus  warned  me:  'What  thou  seest, 

What  there  thou  seest,  fair  creature,  is  thyself ; 

With  thee  it  came  and  goes ;  but  follow  me. 

And  I  will  bring  thee  where  no  shadow  stays 

Thy  coming,  and  thy  soft  embraces,  he 

Whose  image  thou  art ;  him  thou  slialt  enjoy 

Inseparably  thine,  to  him  shalt  bear 

Multitudes  like  thyself,  and  thence  be  called 

Mother  of  human  race.'     What  could  I  do, 

But  follow  straight,  invisibly  thus  led? 

Till  I  espied  thee,  fair  indeed,  and  tall. 

Under  a  plantain  ;  yet  methought  less  fair. 

Less  winning  soft,  less  amiably  mild. 

Than  that  smooth  watery  image  ;  back  I  turned  ; 

Thou  following  criedst  aloud,  '  Return,  fair  Eve, 

Whom  fliest  tiiou  ?  whom  thou  tiiest,  of  him  thou  art, 

His  flesh,  his  bone  ;  to  give  thee  being  I  lent 

Out  of  my  side  to  thee,  nearest  my  heart. 

Substantial  life,  to  have  thee  by  my  side 

Henceforth  an  individual  solace  dear ; 

Part  of  my  soul,  I  seek  thee,  and  thee  claim 

My  other  half.'     With  that  thy  gentle  hand 

Seized  mine  ;  I  yielded,  and  from  that  time  see 


f>6  parathhk   i,okt. 

How  beauty  is  excellerl  by  manly  grace, 
And  wisdom,  whicli  alone  is  truly  fair." 

So  spake  our  general  mother,  and  with  eyes 
Of  conjugal  attraction  inireproved, 
And  meek  surrender,  half-embracing  leaned 
On  our  first  father  ;  half  her  swelling  breast 
Xaked  met  his  under  the  i3owing  gold 
Of  her  loose  tresses  hid  :  he  in  delight 
J^oth  of  her  beauty  aud  submissive  charms, 
Smiled  with  superior  love,  as  Juj)iter 
On  Juno  smiles,  when  he  impregns  the  clouds 
That  shed  May  flowers ;  fmd  pressed  her  matron  lip 
With  kisses  pure  :  aside  the  devil  turned 
For  envy,  yet  with  jealous  leer  malign 
Eyed  them  askance,  and  to  himself  tlius  'plained  : 

"  Sight  hateful,  sight  tormenting  !  thus  tliese  two, 
Imparadised  in  one  another's  arms, 
The  happier  Eden,  shall  enjoy    their  fill 
Of  bliss  on  bliss  ;  while  I  to  Hell  am  thrust. 
Where  neither  joy  nor  love,  but  fierce  desire, 
Among  our  other  torments  not  the  least, 
Still  unfulfilled  with  pain  of  longing  pines. 
Yet  let  me  not  forget  what  I  have  gained 
From  their  own  mouths  ;  all  is  not  theii-s,  it  seems; 
One  fatal  tree  there  stands,  of  knowledge  called. 
Forbidden  them  to  taste  :  knowledge  forbiden  ? 
Suspicious,  reasonless.     Why  should  their  Lord 
Envy  them  that  ?     Can  it  be  sin  to  know  ? 
Can  it  be  death  ?     And  do  they  only  stand 
By  ignorance  ?     Is  that  their  happy  state. 
The  proof  of  their  obedience  and  their  faith  ? 
O,  fair  foundation  laid  whereon  to  build 
Their  ruin  !     Hence  I  will  excite  their  minds 
With  more  desire  to  know,  and  to  reject 
Envious  commands,  invented  with  design 
To  keep  them  low,  whom  knowledge  might  exalt 
Equal  with  gods  :  aspiring  to  be  such, 
They  tast  and  die:  what  likelier  can  ensue? 
But  first  with  narrow  search  I  must  walk  round 
This  garden,  and  no  corner  leave  unspied ; 


PARADKiK    LOST.  97 

A  oluince  but  cbance  may  lead  where  I  may  meet 

Some  wandering  sjiirit  of  Heaven  by  fountain  side, 

Or  in  thick  shade  retired,  from  him  to  draw 

What  further  would  be  learned-     Live  while  ye  may, 

Yet  hai)])y  jtair  ;  enjoy,  till  I  return, 

Sliort  pleasures,  for  long  woes  are  to  succeed." 

So  saying,  his  proud  step  lie  scornful  turned, 
Ijut  witli  sly  circumsjiection,  and  began 
Through  wood,  through  waste,  o'er  hill,  o'er  dale,  his  roam. 
IVIeanwhile  in  utmost  longitude,  where  Heaven 
With  earth  and  ocean  meets,  the  setting  sun 
Slowly  descended,  and  with  right  aspect 
Au-ainst  the  eastern  gate  of  Paradise 
Levelled  his  evening  rays  :  it  was  a  rock 
Of  alabaster,  piled  up  to  tlie  clouds, 
Cons]>icuous  far,  winding  with  one  ascent 
Accessible  from  earth,  one  entrance  high ; 
The  rest  was  craggy  cliff,  that  overhung 
Still  as  it  rose,  impossible  to  climb. 
Betwixt  these  rocky  pillars  Gabi-iel  sat, 
Cliief  of  tlie  angelic  guards,  awaiting  night ; 
About  him  exercised  heroic  games 
The  unarmed  youth  of  Heaven,  but,  nigh  at  hand. 
Celestial  armoury,  shields,  helms,  and  spears. 
Hung  high  with  diamond  flaming,  and  with  gold. 
Thither  came  Uriel,  gliding  through  the  even 
On  a  sunbeam,  swift  as  a  shooting  star 
In  autumn  thwarts  the  night,  when  vapours  tired 
Impress  the  air,  and  shows  tlie  mariner 
From  what  point  of  his  compass  to  beware 
Impetuous  Avinds  :  he  thus  began  in  haste  : 

"  Gabriel,  to  thee  thy  course  by  lot  hath  given 
Charge  and  strict  watch,  thai  to  this  happy'place 
Ko  evil  thing  aj)proacli  or  enter  in. 
This  day  at  height  of  noon  came  to  my  sphere 
A  spirt,  zealous,  as  he  seemed,  to  know 
More  of  the  Almighty's  works,  and  chiefly  man, 
God's  latest  image  :  I  described  his  way 
Bent  all  on  speed,  and  marked  liis  airy  gait; 
But  in  the  mount  that  lies  from  Eden  north, 

7 


98  PAKADISB    LOST. 

Wlicre  he  first  lighted,  soon  discerned  his  looks 
Alien  from  Heaven,  with  passions  foul  obscured: 
Mine  eye  pursued  him  still,  but  under  shade 
Lost  siirht  of  him  :  one  of  the  banished  crew, 
I  fear,  hath  ventui-ed  from  the  deep,  to  raise 
New  ti'oubles ;  him  thy  care  must  be  to  find.'* 

To  whom  the  winged  warrior  thus  returned: 
*'  Uriel,  no  wonder  if  thy  perfect  sight. 
Amid  the  sun's  bright  circle  where  thou  sitt'st, 
See  far  and  wide  :  in  at  this  gate  none  pass 
The  vigilance  here  placed,  but  such  as  come 
Well  known  from  Heaven  ;  and  since  meridian  hour 
No  creature  thence  :  if  s])irit  of  other  sort, 
So  minded,  have  o'erleaped  these  earthy  bounds 
On  ])ur])ose,  hard  thou  knowest  it  to  exclude 
Spiritual  substance  with  corporeal  bar. 
But  if  within  the  circuit  of  these  walks, 
In  whatsoever  shape  he  lurk,  of  whom 
Thou  tell'st,  by  morrow  dawning  I  shall  know." 

So  jDromisecl  he ;  and  Uriel  to  his  charge 
Returned  on  that  bright  beam,  whose  point  now  raised 
Bore  him  slope  downward  to  the  sun,  now  fallen 
Beneath  the  Azores  ;  whether  the  prime  orb 
Incredible  how  swift,  had  thither  rolled 
Diurnal,  or  this  less  volubil  earth. 
By  shorter  flight  to  the  east,  had  left  him  there 
Arraying  with  reflected  purple  and  gold 
The  clouds  that  on  his  western  throne  attend. 

Now  came  still  evening  on,  and  twilight  gray 
Had  in  her  sober  livery  all  things  clad ; 
Silence  accompanied;  for  beast  and  bird, 
They  to  their  grassy  couch,  these  to  their  nests 
Were  slunk,  all  but  the  wakeful  nightingale  ; 
She  all  night  long  her  amorous  descant  sung ; 
Silence  was  pleased  :  now  glowed  the  firmament 
With  living  sapphires  :  Hesperus,  that  led 
The  starry  host,  rode  brightest,  till  the  moon, 
Rising  in  clouded  majesty,  at  length. 
Apparent  queen,  unveiled  her  peerless  light, 
And  o'er  the  dark  her  silver  mantle  threw. 


PAIIADISK    LOST,  9^ 

When  Adara  tlius  to  Eve  :  "  Fair  consort,  the  hour 
Of  night,  and  all  tilings  now  retired  to    rest, 
Mind  us  of  light  repose ;  since  God  hath  set 
Labour  and  i-ost,  as  day  and  night,  to  men 
Successive  ;  and  the  timely  dew  of  sleep, 
Now  falling  with  soft  slumbrous  weight,  inclinea 
Our  eyelids:  other  creatures  all  day  long 
Rove  idle  unemjdoyed,  and  less  need  rest ; 
JMan  hath  his  daily  work  of  body  or  mind 
Appointed,  which  declares  his  dignity. 
And  the  regard  of  Heaven  on  all  his  ways; 
While  other  animals  inactive  range. 
And  of  their  doings  God  takes  no  account. 
To-morrow,  ere  fresh  morning  streak  the  east 
With  first  approach  of  light,  we  must  be  risen, 
And  at  our  j)leasant  labour,  to  reform 
Yon  flowery  arbours,  yonder  alleys  green, 
Our  Avalk  at  noon,  with  branches  overgrown, 
That  jnock  our  scant  manuring,  and  re<[uire 
More  hands  than  ours  to  lop  their  wanton  growth  : 
Tliose  blossoms  also,  and  those  drooping  gums, 
That  lie  bestrown,  unsightly  and  unsmooth. 
Ask  riddance,  if  m'c  mean  to  tread  with  ease ; 
Meanwhile,  as  nature  wills,  night  bids  us  rest." 

To  whom  thus  Eve,  with  perfect  beauty  adorned 
^'  My  author  and  disposer,  what  thou  bidd'st 
Unargued  I  obey;  so  God  ordains; 
God  is  th}'  law,  thou  mine  :  to  know  no  more 
Is  woman's  happiest  knowledge  and  her  praise, 
AVith  thee  conversing  I  forget  all  time  ; 
All  seasons  and  their  change,  all  please  alike. 
Sweet  is  the  breath  of  morn,  her  rising  sweet, 
With  charm  of  earliest  birds  ;  pleasant  the  sun, 
When  first  on  this  delightful  land  he  spreads 
His  orient  beams,  on  herb,  tree,  fruit,  and  flower, 
Glistering  with  dew ;  fragrant  the  fertile  earth 
After  soft  showers  ;  and  sweet  the  coming  on 
Of  grateful  evening  mild  ;  then  silent  night 
With  this  her  solemn  bird,  and  this  fair  moon, 
And  these  the  gems  of  Heaven,  her  starry  train : 


I*>0  PABADISE    LOST. 

But  neither  1)reatli  of  morn,  when  she  ascends 

Willi  charm  of  earliest  birds  ;  nor  rising  sun 

Oi\  this  delightful  hnnd  ;  nor  herb,  fruit,  flower, 

Glistering  with  dew  ;  nor  fragrance  after  showers  ; 

Nor  grnteful  evening  mild  ;  nor  silent  night 

With  this  her  solemn  bird ;  nor  walk  by  moon, 

Or  glittering  starlight,  without  thee  is  sweet. 

But  wherefore  nil  night  long  shine  these?     For  whom 

This  glorious  sight,  when  sleep  hath  shut  all  eyes  ?  " 

To  whom  Our  general  ancestor  replied  : 
"  Daugliter  of  God  and  man,  accomplished  Eve, 
These  have  their  course  to  iinish  round  the  earth, 
By  morroAv  evening,  and  from  land  to  land 
In  order,  though  to  nations  yet  unborn. 
Ministering  light  prepared,  they  set  and  rise; 
Lest  total  darkness  should  by  night  regain 
Her  old  possession,  and  extinguish  life 
In  nature  and  all  tilings,  which  these  soft  fires 
Not  only  enlighten,  but  with  kindly  heat 
Of  various  influence  foment  and  warm, 
Temper  or  nourish,  or  in  ])art  shed  down 
Their  stellar  virtue  on  all  kinds  that  grow 
On  earth,  made  hereby  a})ter  to  receive 
Perfection  from  the  sun's  more  ])otent  ray. 
These,  then,  though  unbeheld  in  deep  of  night, 
Shine  not  in  vain  ;  nor  think,  though  men  were  none, 
That  Heaven  would  want  spectators,  God  want  praise: 
Millions  of  spiritual  creatures  walk  the  earth 
Unseen,  both  when  we  wake  and  when  we  sleep  : 
All  these  with  ceaseless  praise  his  works  behold 
Both  day  and  night.     How  often  from  the  steep 
Of  echoing  hill  or  thicket  have  we  heard 
Celestial  voices  to  the  midnight  air, 
Sole,  or  responsive  each  to  other's  note, 
Singing  their  great  Creator!     Oft  in  bands 
While  they  keep  watch,  or  nightly  rounding  walk, 
AVith  heavenly  toucdi  of  instrumental  sounds 
In  full  harmonic  number  joined,  their  songs 
Divide  tlie  night,  and  lift  our  thoughts  to  Ileavon." 

Thus  talking,  hand  in  hand  alone  they  passed 


PAKAUISK     [.OSr-  101 

Oti  to  their  blissful  bower;  it  was  a  place 

Chosen  by  the  sovereio-n  Planter,  when  he  framed 

All  Ihings  to  man's  delightful  use  ;  the  roof 

Of  thickest  covert  was  inwoven  shade 

Laurel  and  myrtle,  and  what  higher  grew 

Of  firm  and  fragrant  leaf;  on  either  side 

Acanthus,  and  each  odorous  bushy  shrub, 

Fenced  up  the  verdant  wall ;  each  beauteous  flower  ; 

Iris  all  hues,  roses,  and  jessamine, 

Reared  high  their  flourished  heads  between,  and  wrought 

Mosaic  ;  underfoot  the  voilet, 

Crocus,  and  hyacinth  with  rich  inlay 

Broidered  the  ground,  more  coloured  than  Avith  stone 

Of  costliest  emblem  :  other  creature  here. 

Beast,  bird,  insect,  or  worm,  durst  enter  none  : 

Sucli  was  their  awe  of  man.     In  shadier  bower, 

More  sacred  and  sequestered,  though  but  feigned, 

Pan  or  Sylvanus  never  slept,  nor  nymph 

Nor  faun  us  haunted.     Here  in  close  recess, 

"With  flowers,  garlands,  and  sweet-smelling  herbs. 

Espoused  Eve  decked  first  her  nuptial  bed, 

And  heavenly  quires  the  hymenasan  sung, 

What  day  the  genial  angel  to  our  sire 

Brought  her  in  naked  beauty  more  adorned, 

More  lovely  than  Pandora,  whom  the  gods 

Endowed  Avith  all  their  gifts,  and  oh  !  too  like 

In  sad  event,  when  to  the  unwiser  son 

Of  Japhct  brought  by  Ilermes,  she  ensnared 

Mankind  with  her  fair  looks,  to  be  avenged 

On  him  who  had  stole  Jove's  authentic  fire. 

Thus  at  their  shady  lodge  arrived,  both  stood, 
Both  turned,  and  under  open  sky  adored 
Tlie  God  that  made  both  sky,  air,  earth,  and  heaven, 
Which  tliey  beheld  ;  the  moon's  resplendent  globe, 
And  starry  pole  :  "  Thou  also  m.-idest  the  night, 
Maker  Omnipotent,  and  thou  tlie  day. 
Which  we  in  our  appointed  work  employed 
Itave  finished,  hap])y  in  our  mutual  help 
And  mutual  love,  the  crown  of  all  our  bliss, 
Ordained  by  thee,  and  this  delicious  place, 


LlBRAflY 


102  PAliAlJiSE    LOST. 

For  us  too  large,  where  thy  abundance  wants 
Partakers,  and  uncropt  falls  to  the  ground. 
But  tl)ou  hast  promised  from  us  two  a  race 
To  fill  the  earth,  who  shall  with  us  extol 
Thy  goodness  infinite,  both  when  we  wake, 
And  when  we  seek,  as  now,  thy  gift  of  sleep." 

Tliis  said  unanimous,  and  other  rites 
Observing  none,  but  adoration  pure. 
Which  God  likes  best,  into  tlieir  inmost  bower, 
Handed  they  went ;  and,  eased  the  ]>utting  off 
These  troublesome  disguises  which  Ave  M'ear, 
Straight  side  by  side  were  laid  ;  nor  turned,  I  ween, 
A.dam  from  his  fair  spouse,  nor  Eve  the  rites 
Mysterious  of  connubial  love  refused; 
Whatever  hypocrites  austerely  talk 
Of  purity,  and  place,  and  innocence. 
Defaming  as  impure  what  God  declares 
Pure,  and  commands  to  some,  leaves  free  to  all. 
Our  Maker  bids  increase  ;  who  bids  abstain 
But  our  destoyer,  foe  to  God  and  man  ? 
Hail,  wedded  love  !  mysterious  law,  true  source 
Of  human  offspring,  sole  propriety 
In  Paradise  of  all  things  common  else. 
By  thee  adulterous  lust  was  driven  from  men 
Among  the  bestial  herds  to  range  ;  by  thee, 
Founded  in  reason,  loyal,  just  and  pure, 
Relations  dear,  and.  all  the  charities 
Of  father,  son,  and  brother  first  were  known. 
Far  be  it  that  I  should  write  thee  sin  or  blame, 
Or  think  thee  unbefitting  holiest  place; 
Perpetual  fountain  of  domestic  sweets. 
Whose  bed  is  undefiled  and  chaste  pronounced, 
Present,  past,  as  saints  and  patriarchs  used. 
Here  love  his  golden  shafts  employs,  here  lights 
His  constant  lamji,  and  waves  his  purple  wings, 
Reigns  here  and  revels ;  not  in  the  bought  smilo 
Of  harlots,  loveless,  joyless,  unendcared. 
Casual  fruition  ;  nor  in  court  amours. 
Mixed  dance,  or  wanton  mask,  midnight  ball, 
Or  serenade,  which  the  starved  lover  sings 


PAKADlSi:    LOST.  lU5 

To  his  proud  fair,  best  quitted  with  disdain. 
Tlieso,  lulled  by  nighting;ilo.s,  embracing  slept, 
And  on  their  naked  limbs  the  flowery  roof 
Showered  roses,  which  the  morn  repaired.     Sleep  on, 
Blest  jiair;  and  oh  !  yet  ha))piest,  if  ye  seek 
No  hai)])ier  state,  and  know  to  know  no  more. 

Now  liad  niglit  measured  Avith  her  shadowy  cone 
Halfway  up-hill  this  vast  sublunar  vault. 
And  from  their  ivory  port  the  cherubim-, 
Forth  issuing  at  tlie  accustomed  hour,  stood  armed 
To  their  night  watches  in  warlike  parade, 
When  Gabriel  to  his  next  in  ])ower  thus  spake  : 

"  Uzziel,  half  these  draw  off,  and  coast  the  south 
With  strictest  watch  ;  these  other  wheel  the  north  ^ 
Our  circuit  meets    full  west."     As  flame  they  part. 
Half  wiieeling  to  the  shield,  half  to  the  spear. 
From  these,  two  strong  and  subtle  spirits  he  called, 
That  near  him  stood,  and  gave  them  thus  in  charge : 

"Ithuriel  and  Zephon,  with  winged  speed 
Search  through  this  garden  ;  leave  unsearched  no  nook  ; 
But  chiefly  where  those  two  fair  creatures  lodge, 
Now  laid,  perha])s,  asleep,  secure  of  harm. 
This  evening  from  the  sun's  decline  arrived 
Who  tells  of  some  infernal  spirit  seen 
Hitherward  bent  (who  could  have  thought?)  escaped 
The  bars  of  Hell,  on  errand  bad  no  doubt : 
Such  where  ye  find,  seize  fast,  and  hither  bring." 

So  saying,  on  ho  led  his  radiant  files, 
Dazzling  the  moon  :  these  to  the  bower  direct 
In  seai-ch  of  whom  they  sought ;  him  there  they  found 
Squat  like  a  toad,  close  at  the  ear  of  Eve, 
Assaying  by  his  devilish  art  to  reach 
The  organs  of  her  fancy,  and  with  them  forge 
Illusions  as  he  list,  2>hantasms  and  dreams, 
Or  if,  inspiring  venom,  he  might  taint 
The  animal  spirits  that  from  ])ure  blood  arise 
Like  gentle  breaths  from  rivers  pure,  thence  raise 
At  least  distempered,  discontented  thoughts, 
Vain  hopes,  va-in  aims,  inordinate  desires. 
Blown  up  with  high  conceits  engendering  jiride. 


104  PAKADISK    LOST. 

Him  thus  intent,  Ithnriel  with  his  spear 
Touched  lightly  ;  for  no  falsehood  can  endure 
Toucli  of  celestial  temper,  but  returns 
Of  force  to  its  own  likeness  :  up  he  starts, 
Discovered  and  surprised.     As  when  a  spark 
Lights  on  a  heap  of  nitrous  powder,  laid 
Fit  for  the  tun  sonic  magazine  to  store 
Against  a  rumored  war,  the  smutty  grain, 
With  sudden  blaze  diffused,  inflames  the  air : 
So  started  up  in  his  own  shape  tlie  fiend. 
Back  stepped  those  two  fair  angels,  half  amazed 
So  sudden  to  behold  the  grisly  king ; 
Yet  thus,  unmoved  Avith  fear,  accost  him  soon  : 

"Which  of  those  rebel  spirits  adjudged  to  Hell 
Comest  thou,  escaped  thy  prison  ?  and,  transformed, 
Whj'  satt'st  thou  like  an  enemy  in  wait. 
Here  watching  at  the  head  of  these  that  sleep  ?  " 

"  Know  ye  not  then,"  said  Satan,  filled  Avith  scorn, 
"  Know  ye  not  me  ?    Ye  knew  me  once  no  mate 
For  you,  there  sitting  where  ye  durst  not  soar: 
Not  to  know  me  ai-gues  yourselves  unknown, 
The  lowest  of  your  throng;  or  if  ye  know, 
Why  ask  ye,  and  superfluous  begin 
Your  message,  like  to  end  as  much  in  vain?  " 

To  whom  thus  Zephon,  answering  scorn  with  scorn ; 
"  Think  not,  revolted  spirit,  thy  shape  the  same, 
Or  undiminished  brightness  to  be  known. 
As  when  thou  stood'st  in  Heaven,  ui)right  and  pure  j 
I'hat  glory  then,  when  thou  no  more  wast  good, 
Departed  from  thee ;  and  thou  resemblest  now 
Thy  sin  and  place  of  doom  obscure  and  foul. 
But  come,  for  thou,  be  sure,  shalt  give  account 
To  him  who  sent  us,  whose  charge  is  to  keep 
This  place  inviolable,  and  these  from  Jiarm." 

So  spake  the  clierub;  and  his  grave  rebuke, 
Severe  in  youthful  beauty,  added  grace 
Invincible  :  abashed  the  devil  stood, 
And  felt  how  awful  goodness  is,  and  saw 
Vii'tue  in  her  shape  how  loA'ely  ;  saw,  and  pined 
His  loss ;  but  chiefly  to  find  here  observed 


PAnAPISE    LOST.  105 

Ilis  lustre  visibly  impaired;  yet  peemed 
Undaunted.     "If  I  must  contend,"  said  he, 
"  Best  witli  the  best,  the  sender,  not  the  sent, 
Or  all  at  once ;  more  glory  will  be  won, 
Or  less  be  lost."     "  Thy  fear,"  said  Zophon  bold, 
"  Will  save  us  trial  what  the  least  can  do 
Single  against  tlire  wicked,  and  thence  weak." 

The  fiend  replied  not,  overcome  with  rage  ; 
But,  like  a  j^roud  steed  reined,  went  haughty  on, 
Champing  his  iron  cm-b  :  to  strive  or  fly 
lie  licld  it  vain  :  awe  from  above  liad  quelled 
His  lieart,  not  else  dismayed.     Now  di-ew  they  nigh 
Tlie  western  ])oint,  where  those  hall-rounding  guards 
Just  met,  and,  closing,  stood  in  squadron  joined, 
Awaiting  next  command.     To  wh()m  their  chief, 
Gabi-iel,  from  the  front  thus  called  aloud  : 

"  O  frien<ls  !  I  hear  the  tread  of  nimble  feet 
TIasting  this  v.'ay,  and  now  by  glim])se  discern 
Ithuriel  and  Zephon  through  the  shade, 
And  with  them  comes  a  third  of  regal  port, 
But  faded  splendor  wan ;  who,  by  his  gait 
And  fierce  demeanour,  seems  the  ])rince  of  Hell, 
Islot  likely  to  ]-)art  hence  without  contest ; 
Stand  firm,  for  in  his  look  defiance  lours." 

He  scarce  had  ended,  when  these  two  a]iproache 
And  brief  related  whom  they  brought,  wlicro  found, 
How  busied,  in  what  foi-m  and  posture  couched. 

To  whom  Avith  stern  regard  thus  Gabriel  spake: 
"Why  hast  thou,  Satan,  broke  the  bour.ds  prescribed 
To  thy  transgressions,  and  disturbed  the  charge 
•Of  others,  who  approve  not  to  transgress 
By  thy  example,  but  have  power  and  right 
To  question  thy  bold  entrance  on  this  place  ; 
Employed,  it  seems,  to  violate  sleep,  and  those 
Whoso  dwelling  God  hath  planted  here  in  bliss?" 

To  whom  thus  Satan  with  contemptuous  brow  : 
"Gabriel,  thou  hadst  in  Heaven  the  esteem  of  wise, 
And  such  T  held  thee;  but  this  question  asked 
Puts  mc  in  doubt.     Lives  there  who  loves  his  pain  ? 
Who  would  not,  finding  way,  break  loose  tVom  TTell, 


1^J6  PARADISE   LOST. 

Tliough  thither  doomed  ?   Thou  wouldst  thyself,  no  doubt, 

And  boldly  venture  to  whatever  place 

Farthest  from  ])ain,  A\'here  thou  mightst  hope  to  change 

Torment  with  ease,  and  soonest  recomjiense 

Dole  with  delight,  which  in  this  place  I  sought ; 

To  thee  no  reason,  Avho  Icnow'st  only  good. 

But  evil  hast  not  tried ;  and  wilt  object 

His  will  who  bound  us  ?    Let  him  surer  bar 

His  iron  gates,  if  he  intends  our  stay 

In  that  dark  durance  :  thus  much  what  was  asked. 

The  rest  is  true,  they  found  me  where  they  say ; 

But  that  implies  not  violence  or  harm." 

Thus  he  in  scorn.     The  warlike  nngel  moved, 
Disdainfully  half  smiling,  thus  replied  : 
"  O  loss  of  one  in  Heaven,  to  judge  of  wise, 
Since  Satan  fell,  whom  folly  overthrew. 
And  now  returns  him  from  his  ]u-ison  'scaped, 
Gravely  in  doubt  Avhether  to  hold  them  wise 
Or  not,  who  ask  Avhat  boldness  brought  him  hither 
Unlicensed  from  his  bounds  in  Hell  prescribed; 
So  wise  he  judges  it  to  fly  from  pain 
However,  and  to  'scape  his  punishment. 
So  judge  thou  still,  ]»iesumptuous,  till  the  wrath, 
Which  thou  incurr'st  by  flying,  meet  thy  flight 
Sevenfold,  and  scourge  that  wisdom  back  to  Hell, 
Which  taught  thee  yet  no  better,  that  no  pain 
Can  equal  anger  infinite  provoked. 
But  wherefore  thou  alone?     Wherefore  with  thee 
Came  not  all  Hell  broke  loose?     Is  pain  to  them 
Less  pain,  less  to  be  fled  ;  or  thou  than  they 
Loss  hardy  to  endure  ?     Courageous  chief  ! 
Tlie  first  in  flight  from  pain,  liadst  thou  alleged 
To  thy  deserted  host  this  cause  of  flight. 
Thou  surely  hadst  not  come  sole  fugitive." 

To  which  the  fiend  thus  answered,  frowning  stern 
"  Not  that  I  less  endure  or  shrink  from  pain. 
Insulting  angel ;  well  thou  know'st  I  stood 
Thy  fiercest,  when  in  battle  to  thy  aid 
The  blasting  volleyed  thunder  made  all  sjjeed, 
And  seconded  thy  else  not  dreaded  spear. 


PARADISE    LOST.  107 

But  still  thy  words  at  random,  aa  before, 

Argue  iby  inexperience  what  belioves 

From  hard  assays  and  ill  successes  past, 

A  faithful  leader,  not  to  hazard  all 

Through  ways  of  danger  by  himself  untried: 

I,  therefore,  I  alone  first  undertook 

To  wing  the  desolate  abyss,  and  spy 

This  new  created  world,  whereof  in  Hell 

Fame  is  not  silent,  here  in  hope  to  find 

Better  abode,  and  my  afllicted  powers 

To  settle  here  on  earth,  or  in  mid  air ; 

Though  for  possession  put  to  try  once  more 

What  thou  and  thy  gay  legions  dare  against ; 

Whose  easier  business  were  to  serve  their  Lord 

High  up  in  Heaven,  with  songs  to  hymn  his  throne, 

And  jjractised  distances  to  cringe,  not  fight." 

To  whom  the  Avarrior  angel  soon  replied  : 
"  To  say  and  straight  unsay,  pretending  first 
Wise  to  fly  pain,  professing  next  the  spy, 
Argues  no  leader,  but  a  liar  traced, 
Satan,  and  couldst  thou  faithful  add  ?     O  name, 
O  sacred  name  of  faithfulness  profaned ! 
Faithful  to  whom  ?  to  thy  rebellious  crew  ? 
Army  of  fiends,  fit  body  to  fit  head. 
Was  this  your  discipline  and  faith  engaged, 
Your  military  obedience,  to  dissolve 
Allegiance  to  the  acknowledged  power  supreme  ? 
And  thou,  sly  hypocrite,  who  now  wouldst  seem 
Patron  of  libertv,  who  more  than  thou 
Once  fawned,  and  crin-.red,  and  servilely  adored 
Heaven's  awful  monarch  ?  wherefore,  but  in  hope 
To  dispossess  him,  and  thyself  to  reign '? 
But  mark  what  I  arreed  thee  now  :  Avaunt! 
Fly  thither  whence  thou  fled'st :  if  from  this  hour 
Within  these  hallowed  limits  thou  appear, 
Back  to  the  infernal  pit  I  drag  thee  chained. 
And  seal  thee  so,  as  henceforth  not  to  scorn 
The  facile  gates  of  Ilell,  too  slightly  barred." 

So  threatened  he  ;  but  Satan  to  no  threats 
iinxe  heed,  but  waxing  more  in  rage  replied : 


108  PARADISE    LOST. 

"  Then  when  I  am  thy  captive  talk  of  chains, 
Proud  limitary  cherub  !     But  ere  then 
Far  heavier  load  thyself  expect  to  feel 
From  my  prevailing  arm,  though  Heaven's  King 
Ride  on  thy  wings,  and  thou,  with  thy  c<>m]-)cers, 
Used  to  the  yoke,  draw'st  his  triumphant  wheels 
In  progress  through  the  road  of  Heaven  s(ar-paved.'* 

While  thus  he  spake,  the  angelic  squad I'on  bright 
Turned  fiery  red,  sharpening  in  mooned  horns 
Their  phalanx,  and  began  to  hem  him  round 
With  ported  spears,  as  thick  as  when  a  field 
Of  Ceres,  ripe  for  harvest,  wavhig  bends 
Her  bearded  grove  of  ears,  which  way  the  wind 
Sways  them  ;  the  careful  ploughman  doubting  stands, 
Lest  on  the  threshing  floor  his  hopeful  slieavcs 
Prove  chaff.     On  the  other  side,  Satan,  alarmed, 
Collecting  all  his  might,  dilated  stood, 
Like  Teneriff  or  Atlas,  unremoved  : 
His  stature  reached  the  sky,  and  on  his  crest 
Sat  horror  plumed  ;  nor  wanted  in  his  grasp 
What  seemed  both  spears  and  shield.      Now;  dreadful 

deeds 
Might  have  ensued ;  not  only  Paradise, 
In  this  commotion,  but  the  starry  cope 
Of  Heaven,  ])erhaps,  or  all  the  elements 
At  least  had  gone  to  wrack,  disturbed  and  torn 
With  violence  of  this  conflict,  had  not  soon 
The  Eternal,  to  prevent  such  horrid  fray, 
Hung  forth  in  Heaven  his  golden  scales,  vet  seen 
Betwixt  Astrea  and  the  Scorpion  sign. 
Wherein  all  things  created  first  he  weighed, 
I'he  pendulous  round  earth  with  balanced  air 
In  counterpoise;  now  ponders  all  events, 
Battles  and  realms  :  in  these  he  put  two  -w  eights, 
Tlie  sequel  each  of  parting  and  of  fight ; 
The  latter  quick  up  flew,  and  kicked  the  beam, 
Wliich  Gabriel  spying,  thus  bespake  the  fiend  : 

"  Satan,  I  know  thy  strength,  and  thou  know'st  mine, 
Neither  our  own,  but  given  ;  what  folly,  then, 
To  boast  what  arras  can  do,  since  thine  no  more 


PAKADISE    LOST.  109 

Than  Heaven  permits,  nor  mine,  though  doubled  now 

To  trample  thee  as  mire  !     For  proof  look  up, 

And  read  tliy  lot  in  yon  celestial  sign, 

V/here  thou  art  weighed,  and  shown  how  light,  how  weak, 

If  thou  resist.     The  ticnd  looked  up,  and  knew 

His  mounted  scale  aloft :  nor  more  ;  but  fled 

Murmuring,  and  with  him  fled  the  shades  of  night. 


110  PAHADISB    LOST. 


BOOK   V. 

THE  ARGUMENT, 

Morning  approached,  Eve  relates  to  Ad.'im  her  troublesome  dream;  he 
likes  it  not,  yei  comforts  her:  they  come  forth  to  their  day  labors:  their 
morniiip:  hymn  at  tlie  door  of  their  bower.  God,  to  render  man  inexcus- 
able, sends  Rai)hael  to  adrnonisli  him  of  his  obedience, of  his  free  estate, 
of  his  enemy  near  at  hand,  who  he  is,  and  why  his  enemy,  and  whatever 
else  may  avail  Adam  to  know.  Raphael  comes  down  to  Paradise;  his 
appearance  described;  his  coming  discerned  by  Adam  afar  off,  sitting  at 
the  door  of  his  bower;  he  goes  out  to  meet  him,  brings  hini  to  his  lodge, 
entertains  him  with  the-  choicest  fruits  of  Paradise  got  together  by  Eve; 
their  discourse  at  table:  Raphael  performs  his  message,  minds  Adam 
of  his  state  and  of  his  enemy;  relates,  at  Adam's  request,  who  t!i;it 
enemy  is,  and  how  he  came  to  be  so,  beginning  from  his  first  revolt  in 
Heaven,  and  the  occasion  thereof  ;  how  he  drew  his  legions  after  aim 
to  the  parts  of  the  north,  and  there  incited  them  to  rebel  with  him,  per- 
suading all  but  only  Abdiel,  a  seraph,  who  in  argument  dissuades  and 
opposes  him,  then  forsakes  him. 

Now  morn  lier  rosy  steps  in  the  eastern  clime 

Advancing,  sowed  the  earth  with  orient  pearl, 

When  Adam  waked,  so  customed  ;  for  his  sleep 

Was  airy  light,  from,  pure  digestion  bred, 

z\nd  temperate  vapours  bland,  which  the  only  sound 

Of  leaves  and  fuming  rills,  Aurora's  fan. 

Lightly  dispersed,  and  the  shrill  matin  song 

Of  birds  on  OA^ery  bough ;  so  much  the  more 

His  wonder  was  to  find  unwakenod  Eve 

With  tresses  discomposed,  and  glowhig  cheek, 

As  throitgh  unquiet  rest:  he  on  his  side 

Leaning,  half  raised,  with  looks  of  cordial  love 

Hung  over  her  enamoured,  and  beheld 

Beauty,  which,  whether  waking  or  asleep, 

Shot  forth  ])eculiar  graces  ;  then  Avith  voice 

Mild,  as  when  Zephyrus  on  Flora  breathes, 

Her  hand  soft  touching,  whispered  thus  :  "  Awake, 


PAKADI8B    LOST.  IH 

My  fairest,  my  espoused,  ray  latest  found, 
Heaven's  last  best  gift,  my  ever-new  delight, 
Awake  ;  the  morning  shines,  and  the  fresh  field 
Culls  us  ;  M'C  lose  the  prime  to  luark  how  spring 
Our  tended  plants,  how  blows  the  citron  grove, 
What  drops  the  myrrh,  and  what  the  balmy  reed. 
How  nature  paints  her  colours,  how  the  bee 
Sits  on  the  bloom  extracting  liquid  sweet," 
.  Such  wliispering  waked  her,  but  with  startled  eye 
On  Adam,  whom  embracing,  thus  she  spake : 

"  O  sole  in  whom  my  thoughts  find  all  repose, 
My  glory,  my  perfection  !  glad  I  see 
Thy  face,  and  morn  returned ;  for  I  this  night 
(Such  night  till  this  I  never  passed)  have  dreamed, 
If  dreamed,  not  as  I  oft  am  wont,  of  thee. 
Works  of  day  past,  or  morrow's  next  design. 
But  of  offence  and  trouble,  which  my  mind 
Knew  never  till  this  irksome  night :  methought 
Close  at  mine  ear  one  called  me  forth  to  walk, 
With  gentle  voice  ;  I  thought  it  thine ;  it  said, 
*  Why  sleep'st  thou.  Eve  ?    Now  is  the  pleasant  time, 
The  cool,  the  silent,  save  where  silence  yields 
To  the  night-warbling  bird,  that  now  awake 
Tunes  sweetest  his  love-laboured  song ;  now  reigns; 
Full  orbed  the  moon,  and  with  more  pleasing  light 
Shadowy  sets  off  the  face  of  things  ;  in  vain, 
If  none  regard  ;  Heaven  wakes  with  all  his  eyes, 
Whom  to  behold  but  thee,  nature's  desire? 
In  whose  sight  all  things  joy,  with  ravishment 
Attracted  by  thy  beauty  still  to  gaze.' 
I  rose  ns  at  thy  call,  but  found  thee  not ; 
To  find  thee  I  directed  then  my  walk  ; 
And  on,  methought,  alone  I  passed  through  ways 
That  brought  me  on  a  sudden  to  the  tree 
Of  interdicted  knoAvledge  :  fair  it  seemed, 
Much  fairer  to  my  fancy  than  by  day : 
And  as  I  wondering  looked,  beside  it  stood 
One  shaped  and  winged  like  one  of  those  from  Heaven 
By  us  oft  seen ;  his  dewy  locks  distilled 
Ambrosia  ;  on  that  tree  he  also  gazed  ; 


112  PARADISE    LOST. 

And  '  O  fair  plant,'  said  he, '  with  fruit  surcharged, 

Deigns  none  to  ease  thy  load,  and  taste  thy  sweet, 

Kor  God,  nor  man  ?     Is  knowledge  so  despised  ? 

Or  envy,  or  what  reserve  forbids  tO  taste? 

Forbid  who  will,  none  shall  from  me  withhold 

Longer  thy  offered  good  :  why  else  set  here  ?  " 

This  said,  he  paused  not,  but  with  venturous  arm 

He  plucked,  he  tasted ;  me  damp  horror  chilled 

At  such  bold  words  vouclied  Avith  a  deed  so  bold ; 

But  he  thus,  overjoyed  :  "  O  fruit  divine, 

Sweet  of  thyself,  but  much  more  sweet  thus  cropped  ; 

Forbidden  here,  it  seems,  as  only  fit 

For  gods,  yet  able  to  make  gods  of  men  : 

And  why  not  gods  of  men,  since  good,  the  more 

Communicated,  more  abundant  grows, 

The  author  not  impaired,  but  honored  more? 

Here,  happy  creature,  fair  angelic  Eve, 

Partake  thou  also  ;  happy  though  thou  art, 

Happier  thou  mayst  be,  worthier  canst  not  be: 

Taste  this,  and  be  henceforth  among  the  gods 

Thyself  a  goddess,  not  to  earth  confined, 

But  sometimes  in  the  air,  as  we ;  sometimes 

Asceiul  to  Heaven,  by  merit  thine,  and  see 

What  life  the  gods  live  there,  and  such  live  thou. 

So  saying,  he  drew  nigh,  and  to  me  held, 

Even  to  my  mouth  of  that  same  fruit  held  part 

Which  he  had  plucked  ;  the  pleasant  savory  smell 

So  quickened  appetite,  that  I,  methought. 

Could  not  but  taste.     Forthwith  up  to  the  clouds 

With  him  I  flew,  and  underneath  beheld 

The  earth  outstretched  immense,  a  prospect  Avido 

And  various  :  wondering  at  my  flight  and  change 

To  this  high  exaltation,  suddenly 

My  guide  was  gone,  and  I,  methought,  sunk  down, 

And  fell  asleep ;  but  oh,  how  glad  I  waked 

To  find  this  but  a  dream !  "     Thus  Eve  her  night 

Related,  and  thus  Adam  answered  sad  : 

"  Beet  image  of  myself,  and  dearer  half. 
The  trouble  of  thy  thoughts  this  night  in  sleep 
Affects  me  equally  j  nor  can  I  like 


PARADISE    LOST.  123 

This  uncouth  dream,  of  evil  sprung,  I  fear; 

Yet  evil  whence?   in  thee  can  harbour  none^ 

Created  pure.     But  know,  that  in  the  soul 

Ave  inany  lesser  faculties,  that  serve 

Reason  as  chief ;  among  these,  fancy  next 

Her  office  holds  ;  of  all  external  things, 

Wliich  the  five  watchful  senses  represent, 

She  forms  imaginations,  airy  shapes, 

Which  reason,  joining  or  disjoining,  frames 

All  what  we  affirm  or  what  deny,  and  call 

Our  knowledge  or  opinion  ;  then  retires 

Into  her  private  cell  when  nature  rests. 

Oft  in  her  absence  mimic  fancy  wakes 

To  imitate  her;  but,  misjoining  shapes, 

Wild  work  produces  oft,  and  most  in  dreams, 

III  matcliing  words  and  deeds  long  past  or  late. 

Some  such  resemblances  methinks  I  find 

Of  our  last  evening's  talk,  in  this  thy  dream, 

But  with  addition  strange ;  yet  be  not  sad  : 

Evil  into  the  mind  of  God  or  man 

May  come  and  go,  so  unapproved,  and  leave 

No  spot  or  blame  behind :  which  gives  me  hope 

That  what  in  sleep  thou  didst  abhor  to  dream. 

Waking  thou  never  wilt  consent  to  do. 

Be  not  disheartened,  then,  nor  cloud  those  looks, 

That  wont  to  be  more  cheerful  and  serene, 

Than  when  fair  morning  first  smiles  on  the  world; 

And  let  us  to  our  fresh  employments  rise 

Among  the  groves,  the  fountains,  and  the  floAvei-s 

That  open  now  their  choicest  bosomed  smells. 

Reserved  from  night,  and  kept  for  thee  in  store." 

So  cheered  he  his  fair  spouse,  and  she  was  cheered, 
But  silently  a  gentle^  tear  let  fall 
From  either  eye,  and  w  biped  them  with  her  hair; 
Two  other  ])recious  drops  that  ready  stood. 
Each  in  their  crystal  sluice,  he,  ere  they  fell, 
Kissed,  as  the  gracious  signs  of  sweet  remorse 
And  pious  awe,  that  feared  to  have  offended. 

So  all  was  cleared,  and  to  the  field  they  haste. 
But  first,  from  under  shady  arborous  roof, 

8 


114  PARAUISJE    LOST. 

Soon  as  they  forth  were  come  to  open  sight 

Of  day-spring,  ana  the  sun,  who  scarce  up  risen, 

Witli- wheels  yet  hovering  o'er  the  ocean  brim, 

Sliot  parallel  to  the  earth  his  dewy  ray, 

Discovering  in  wide  landscape  all  the  east 

Of  Paradise  and  Eden's  happy  plains, 

Lowly  they  bowed  adoring,  and  began 

Their  orisons,  each  morning  duly  j^aid 

In  various  style  ;  for  neither  various  style 

Nor  holy  rapture  ^\'anted  they  to  praise 

Their  maker,  in  fit  strains  pronounced  or  sung 

Unmeditated  ;  such  prompt  eloquence 

Flowed  from  their  lips,  in  prose  or  nimiorous  A'erse, 

More  tuneable  than  needed  lute  or  harp 

To  add  more  sweetness  ;  and  they  thus  began  : 

"  These  are  thy  glorious  works,  Parent  of  good. 
Almighty!     Thine  this  universal  frame. 
Thus  wondrous  fair  ;  thyself  how  wondrous  then, 
Unspeakable  !  who  sitt'st  above  these  heavens, 
To  us  invisible,  or  dimly  seen 
In  these  thy  lowest  works ;  yet  these  declare 
The  goodness  beyond  thought,  and  power  divine. 
Speak,  ye  who  best  can  tell,  ye  sons  of  light, 
Angels ;  for  ye  behold  him  and  with  songs 
And  choral  symphonies,  day  wnthout  night, 
Circle  his  throne  rejoicing  ;  ye  in  Heaven, 
On  earth  join  all  ye  creatures  to  extol 
Him  first,  him  last,  him  midst  and  without  end. 
Fairest  of  stars,  last  in  the  train  of  night, 
If  better  thou  belong  not  to  the  dawn, 
Sure  pl?xlge  of  day,  that  crown'st  the  smiling  morn 
With  tii\  bright  circlet,  praise  him  in  thy  sphere, 
While  day  arises,  tliat  sweet  hour  of  jtrime. 
Thou  sun,  of  this  great  world  both  eye  and  soul, 
Acknowledge. him  thy  greater,  sound  his  praise 
In  thy  eternal  course,  both  when  thou  climb'st, 
And  when  high  noon  hast  gained,  and  when  thou  fall'st, 
Moon,  that  now  meet'st  the  orient  sun,  now  fli'st, 
With  the  fixed  stars,  fixed  in  their  orb  that  flies. 
And  ye  five  other  wandering  fires  that  move 


FARADISa:    LOST.  li^ 

In  mystic  dance  not  without  song,  resound 

His  jiinise,  who  out  of  darkness  called  up  light. 

Air,  and  ye  elements,  the  eldest  birth 

Of  nature's  womb,  that  in  quaternion  run 

Perpetual  circle,  multiform  ;  and  mix 

And  nourish  all  things;  let  your  ceaseless  change 

Vary  to  our  great  Maker  still  new  praise. 

Yc  mists  and  exhalations  that  now  rise 

From  hill  or  steaming  lake,  dusky  or  gray, 

Till  the  sun  paint  your  fleecy  skirts  with  gold, 

In  lionour  to  the  world's  great  Author  rise. 

Whether  to  deck  Avith  clouds  the  uncoloured  sky, 

Or  wet  the  thirstv  earth  Avith  falling'  showers. 

Rising  or  falling  still  advance  his  praise. 

His  ])raise,  ye  wind,  that  from  four  quarters  bloAA-, 

Breathe  soft  or  loud ;  and  AvaA'e  your  tops,  ye  pines 

With  every  plant,  iu  sign  of  Avorship  Avave. 

P^ountains,  and  ye  that  Avarble  as  ye  floAV 

Melodious  murmurs,  warbling  tune  his  praise. 

Join  A'oices,  all  yc  living  souls  ;  ye  birds, 

That  singing  up  to  Heaven-gate  ascend. 

Bear  on  your  Avings  and  in  your  notes  his  praise. 

Ye  that  in  waters  glide,  and  ye  that  Avalk 

The  earth,  and  stately  tread,  or  lowly  creep ; 

Witness  if  I  be  silent,  morn  or  even. 

To  hill  or  walley,  fountain  or  fresh  shade, 

Made  A'ocal  by  my  song,  and  taught  his  praise. 

Hail,  uniA'crsal  Lord!  be  bounteous  still 

To  give  us  only  good ;  and  if  the  night 

Have  gathered  aught  of  evil  or  concealed. 

Disperse  it,  as  now  light  dispels  the  dark." 

So  prayed  they  innocent,  and  to  their  thoughts 
Firm  peace  recovered  soon,  and  Avonted  calm. 
On  to  their  morning's  rural  Avork  they  haste 
Among  su-eet  dcAvs  and  flowers;  Avhere  any  roA^ 
Of  fruit-trees,  over-Avoody,  reached  too  far 
Their  pampered  boughs,  and  needed  liands  to  cheek 
Fruitless  embraces :  or  they  led  the  A'ine 
To  Aved  her  elm  ;  she,  spoused,  about  him  twines 
Her  marriageable  arms,  and  Avith  her  brings 

8 


116  I'AKAPISH    LOST. 

.Her  dower,  the  adopted  clusters,  to  adorn 
His  barren  le.aves.     Them  thus  employed  beheld 
With  pity  Heaven's  High  King,  and  to  him  called 
Raphael,  the  sociable  spirit,  th^t  deigned 
To  travel  with  Tobias,  and  secured 
His  n)arriage  with  the  seven-times-wedded  maid. 

"  Ka]  hael,"  said  he,  "  thou  hear'st  what  stir  on  earth 
Satan,  from  hell  'scaped  through  the  darksome  gulf, 
Hath  raised  in  Paradise,  and  how  disturbed 
This  night  the  human  pair;  how  he  designs 
In  them  at  once  to  ruin  all  mankind. 
Go,  therefore,  half  this  day,  as  friend  with  friend 
Converse  with  Adam,  in  what  bower  or  shade 
ThoLi  lind'st  him  from  the  heat  of  noon  retired, 
To  respite  his  day  labour  with  i-epast, 
Or  with  repose  ;  and  such  discourse  bring  on, 
As  may  advise  him  of  his  happy  state, 
Hap])iness  in  his  power  left  free  to  will, 
Left  to  his  OAvn  free  will,  his  will  though  free. 
Yet  jButable  ;  whence  warn  him  to  beware 
He  swerve  not,  too  secure  :  tell  him  withal 
His  danger,  and  from  whom  ;  Avhat  enemy, 
Late  fallen  himself  from  Heaven,  is  plotting  now 
The  fall  of  others  from  like  state  of  bliss  ; 
By  violence?  no,  for  that  shall  be  withstood; 
But  by"  deceit  and  lies;  this  let  him  know, 
Lest,  wilfully  transgressing,  he  pretend 
Surprisal,  unadmonished,  unforewarned." 

So  spake  the  Eternal  Father,  and  fulfilled 
All  justice:  nor  delayed  the  winged  saint 
After  his  charge  received ;  but  from  among 
Thousand  celestial  ardours,  where  he  stood 
Veiled  with  his  gorgeous  Avings,  up  s]:)ringing  light 
Flew  through  the  midst  of  Heaven  ;  the  angelic  quires. 
On  each  hand  parting,  to  his  speed  gave  way 
Through  all  the  empyreal  road;  till  at  the  gate 
Of  Heaven  Jirrived,  the  gate  self-opened  wide 
On  golden  hinges  turning,  as  by  work 
Divine  the  sovran  Architect  had  framed. 
From  hence  no  cloud;  or,  to  obstruct  las  sight, 


PARiVDISK    LOST.  117 

Star  interposed,  however  small  he  sees, 

Not  uuconform  to  other  shining  globes, 

Earth  and  the  garden  of  God,  with  cedars  crowned 

Above  all  hills.     As  when  by  night  the  glass 

Of  Galileo,  less  assured,  observes 

Imagined  lands  and  regions  in  the  moon : 

Or  pilot,  from  amidst  the  Cyelades 

Delos  or  Samos  first  ajipearing,  kens 

A  cloudy  spot.     Down  thither  ])rone  in  flight 

lie  s])eeds,  and  through  the  vast  ethereal  sky 

Sails  between  worlds  and  worlds,  Avith  steady  wing. 

Now  on  the  polar  winds,  then  with  quick  fan 

Winnows  the  buxom  air ;  till  within  soar 

Of  towering  eagles,  to  all  the  fowls  he  seems 

A  ])h(i;iiix',  gazed  by  all,  as  that  sole  bird, 

"When,  to  enslirine"  his  relics  in  the  sun's 

Bright  temple,  to  Egyptian  Thebes  lie  flies. 

At  once  on  the  eastern  cliff  of  Paradise 

He  lights,  and  to  his  proper  shape  returns 

A  seraph  winged :  six  wings  he  wore,  to  shade 

His  lineaments  divine  ;  the  pair  that. clad 

Each  shoulder  broad,  came  mantling  o'er  his  breast 

With  regal  ornament ;  the  middle  pair 

Girt  like  a  starry  zone  his  waist  and  round 

Skirted  his  loins  and  thighs  with  downy  gold. 

And  colours  dipped  in  Heaven  ;  the  third  his  feet 

Shadowed  from  either  lieel  Avith  feathered  mail, 

Sky-tinctured  grain.     Like  Maia's  son  he  stood, 

And  shook  his  plumes,  that  heavenly  fragrance  filled 

The  circuit  Avide.     Straight  knew  him  all  the  bands 

Of  angels  under  Avatch  ;  and  to  his  state. 

And  to  his  message  high,  in  honour  rise  ; 

For  on  some  message  high  they  guessed  him  bound. 

Their  glittering  tents  he  passed,  and  now  is  come 

Into  the  blissful  field,  through  groves  of  myrrh, 

And  flowering  odours,  cassia,  nurd,  and  balm; 

A  wilderness  of  sweets  ;  for  Nature  here 

Wantoned  as  in  her  prime,  and  played  at  will 

Her  virgin  fancies,  pouring  forth  more  SAveet, 

Wild  above  rule  or  art ;  enormous  bliss. 


lib  PARADISE    LOST. 

Hitn  through  the  spicy  forest  onward  come, 

Adam  discerned,  as  in  the  door  he  sat 

Of  liis  cool  bower,  while  now  the  mounted  sun 

Shot  down  direct  his  fervid  rays  to  warm 

Eaith's  inmost  womb,  more  warmth  than  Adam  needs : 

And  Eve  within,  due  at  her  hour  prepared 

For  dinner  savoury  fruits,  of  taste  to  please 

True  appetite,  and  not  disrelish  thirst 

Of  nectarous  di:xiughts  between,  from  milky  stream, 

Berry  or  grape  :  to  whom  thus  Adam  called  : 

"  Haste  hither.  Eve,  and  worth  thy  sight  behold 
Eastward  among  those  trees,  Avhat  glorious  shape 
Comes  this  way  moving  ;  seems  another  morn 
Risen  on  mid-noon  ;  some  great  behest  fi-om  Heaven 
To  us,  perhaps,  he  brings,  and  will  vouchsafe 
This  day  to  be  our  guest.     But  go  with  speed. 
And  what  thy  stores  contain  bring  forth,  and  pour 
Abundance,  tit  to  honour  and  receive 
Our  heavenly  stranger  :  well  we  may  afford 
Our  givers  their  own  gifts,  and  large  bestow 
From  large  bestowed,  where  nature  multiplies 
Her  fertile  growth,  and  by  disburdening  grows 
More  fruitful,  which  instructs  us  not  to  spare." 

To  whom  thus  Eve  :  "  Adam,  earth's  hallowed  mould, 
Of  God  inspired,  small  store  Avill  serve,  where  store, 
All  seasons,  ripe  for  use  hangs  on  the  stalk ; 
Save  what  bv  frugal  storinor  firmness  ffains 
To  nourish,  and  superfluous  moist  consumes  : 
But  I  will  haste,  and  from  each  bough  and  brake, 
Eacli  plant  and  juciest  gourd,  Avill  pluck  such  choice 
To  entertain  our  angel-guest*  as  he 
Beholding  shall  confess,  that  here  on  earth 
God  hath  dispensed  his  bounties  as  in  Heaven," 

So  saying,  Avitli  despatchful  looks,  in  haste 
She  turns,  on  hos])itable  thoughts  intent 
What  choice  to  choose  for  delicacy  best, 
What  order,  so  contriv'd  as  not  to  mix 
Tastes,  not  well  joined,  inelegant,  but  bring 
Taste  after  taste  upheld  with  kindliest  change  ; 
Bestirs  her  then,  and  fi-om  each  tender  stalk 


PAltADISJi    LOST.  lltt 

Whatever  earth,  all-bearing  mother,  yields 
In  India,  East  or  West,  or  middle  shore 
In  Pontus,  or  the  Punic  coast,  or  Avhere 
Alcinous  reign 'd,  fruit  of  all  kinds,  in  coat 
Rough,  or  smooth  rijid,  or  bearded  husk,  or  shell, 
She  gathers,  tribute  large,  and  on  the  board 
IIea])s  with  unsparing  hand  ;  for  drink,  the  grape 
She  crushes,  inoffensive  must,  and  mcaths 
From  many  a  berry,  and  from  sweet  kernels  pressed 
She  temjiers  dulcet  creams;  nor  these  to  hold 
Wants  her  fit  vessels  pure  ;  then  strews  the  ground 
Willi  rose  and  odours  from  the  shrub  unfumed. 

IMeanwhile  our  primitive  great  sire,  to  meet 
His  godlike  guest,  walks  forth,  without  more  train 
Accom])anied  than  with  his  own  complete 
Perfections ;  in  himself  was  all  his  state. 
More  solemn  than  the  tedious  pomp  that  waits 
On  princes  when  their  rich  retinue,  long 
Of  horses  led,  and  grooms  besmeared  with  gold. 
Dazzles  the  crowd,  and  sets  them  all  agape. 
Nearer  his  presence  Adam,  though  not  awed, 
Yet  with  subraiss  approach  and  reverence  meek, 
As  to  a  superior  nature,  bowing  low, 
Thus  said  :  "  Native  of  Heaven,  for  other  place 
None  can,  than  Heaven,  such  glorious  shape  contain ; 
Since,  by  descending  from  the  thrones  above, 
Those  happy  places  thou  hast  deigned  awhile 
To  want,  and  honour  these,  vouchsafe  with  us 
Two  only,  Avho  yet  by  sovran  gift  possess 
This  spacious  ground,  in  yonder  sliady  bower 
To  rest,  and  Avhat  the  garden  choicest  bears 
To  sit  and  taste,  till  this'meridian  heat 
Be  over,  and  the  sun  more  cool  decline." 

Whom  thus  the  angelic  virtue  answered  mild : 
"  Adam,  I  therefore  came,  nor  art  thou  such 
Created,  or  such  place  hast  here  to  dwell. 
As  may  not  oft  invite,  though  spirits  of  Heaven, 
To  visit  thee;  lead  on,  then,  where  thy  bower 
O'ershades  ;  for  these  mid-hours,  till  evening  rise, 
I  liave  at  will.''     So  to  the  sylvan  lodgo 


IL'O  PxVKADISK    LOST. 

They  carae,  that  like  Pomona's  arbour  smiled 

With  flowerets  decked  and  fragrant  smells  ;  but  Eve, 

Undecked  saved  with  herself,  more  lovely  fair 

Than  wood-nymph,  or  the  fairest  goddess  feigned 

Of  three  that  in  mount  Ida  naked  strove, 

Stood  to  entertain  her  guests  from  Heaven  ;  no  veil 

Slie  needed,  virtue-proof;  no  thought  infirm 

Altered  her  cheek.     On  whom  the  angel  "  Hail !" 

BestOAVcd,  the  holy  salutation  nsed 

Long  after  to  blest  Mary,  second  Eve  : 

"  Hail,  mother  of  mankind  !  whose  fruitful  womb 
Shall  fill  the  world  more  numerous  with  thy  sons, 
Than  with  these  various  fruits  the  trees  of  God 
Hrrve  heaped  this  table."     Raised  of  grassy  turf 
Their  table  was,  and  mossy  seats  had  round, 
Aiid  on  her  amjile  square,  from  side  to  side, 
All  autumn  piled,  though  spring  and  autumn  here 
Danced  hand  in  hand.     A  while,  discourse  they  hold. 
No  fear  lest  dinner  cool;  when  thus  began 
Our  author  :  "  Heavenly  stranger,  ]>lease  to  taste 
These  bounties,  which  our  Nourisher,  from  whom 
All  perfect  good,  nnmeasured  out,  descends, 
To  us  for  food  and  for  delight  hath  caused 
The  earth  to  yield  :  unsavoury  food,  perhaps, 
To  spiritual  natures  ;  only  this  I  know, 
That  one  celestial  Father  gives  to  all." 

To  whom  the  angel :  "  Therefore,  what  he  givea 
(Whose  praise  he  ever  sung)  to  man,  in  pai't 
Spiritual,  may  of  purest  spirits  be  found 
No  ingratcful  food  :  and  food  alike  those  pure 
lutelligential  substances  require. 
As  doth  your  rational ;  and  both  contain 
Within  them  every  lower  faculty 
Of  sense,  whereby  they  hear,  see,  smell,  touch,  taste, 
Tasting  concoct,  digest,  assimilate, 
And  corpoi-eal  to  incorporeal  turn. 
For  know,  whatever  Avas  created,  needs 
To  be  sustained  and  fed  ;  of  elements 
The  grosser  feeds  the  purer,  earth  the  sea, 
Earth  and  the  sea  feed  air,  the  air  those  fires 


PAnADISlC    LOST.  121 

Ethereal,  and,  as  lowest,  first  tlie  moon; 

Whence  in  her  visage  round  those  spots,  unpurged 

Vapours  i:ot  yet  into  her  substance  turned.    ■ 

Nor  doth  the  moon  no  nourishment  exhale 

From  her  moist  continent  to  higher  orbs. 

The  sun  that  light  imparts  to  all,  receives 

From  all  his  alimental  recompense 

In  humid  exhalations,  and  at  oven 

Su]>s  \vith  tlie  ocean.     Tiiough  in  heaven  the  treea 

Of  life  ambrosial  fruitage  bear,  and  vines 

Yield  nectar;  though  from  off  the  boughs  each  morn 

We  brush  mellifluous  dews,  and  find  the  ground. 

Covered  Avith  pearly  grain  :  yet  God  hath  here    ' 

Varied  his  bounty  so  with  new  delights, 

As  may  comjiai-e  with  Heaven  ;  and  to  taste, 

Think  not  I  shall  be  nice."     So  down  they  sat, 

And  to  their  viands  fell  ;  nor  seemingly 

The  angel,  nor  in  mist,  the  common  gloss 

Of  theologians  ;  but  with  keen  despatch 

Of  real  hunger,  and  concoctive  heat 

To  transubstantiate :  what  redounds,  transpires 

Through  sj)irits  with  ease  ;  nor  wonder,  if  by  tire 

Of  sooty  coal  the  empiric  alchemist  « 

Can  turn,  or  holds  it  possible  to  turn, 

Metals  or  drossiest  ore  to  perfect  gold, 

As  from  the  mine.     Meanwhile  at  table,  Eve 

Ministered  naked,  and  their  flowing  cups 

With  pleasant  liquors  crowned  :  O  innocence 

Deserving  Paradise  !     If  ever,  then, 

Then  had  the  sons  of  God  excuse  to  have  been 

Enamoured  at  that  sight ;  but  in  those  hearts 

Love  unlibidinous  reigned,  nor  jealousy 

Was  understood,  the  injured  lover's  hell. 

Thus  when  Avith  meats  and  drinks  they  had  sufficed. 
Not  burdened  nature,  sudden  mind  arose 
In  Adam  not  to  let  the  occasion  pass. 
Given  him  by  this  great  conference,  to  know 
Of  things  above  his  world,  and  of  their  being 
Who  dwell  in  Heaven,  whose  excellence  he  saw 
Transcend  his  own  so  far,  whose  radiant  forms, 


122  PARADISE    LOST. 

Divine  effulgence,  whose  high  power,  so  far 
Exceeded  human  ;  and  his  wary  speech 
Thus  to  the  empyreal  minister  he  framed  : 

"  Inliabitant  with  God,  now  know  I  will 
Thy  favour,  in  this  honour  done  to  man, 
Under  whose  lowly  roof  thou  hast  vouchsafed 
To  enter,  and  these  earthly  fruits  to  taste, 
Food  not  of  angels,  yet  accepted  so, 
As  that  more  willingly  thou  couldst  not  seem 
At  Heaven's  high  feasts  to  have  fed :  yet  what  compare  J " 

To  whom  the  winged  hierarch  replied  : 
"  O  Adam,  one  Almiglity  is,  from  whom 
All  things  proceed,  and  up  to  him  return, 
If  not  depraved  from  good,  created  all 
Such  to  pei'fection,  one  first  matter  all, 
Endued  with  various  forms,  various  degrees 
Of  substance,  and  in  things  that  live,  of  life ; 
But  more  refined,  more  spirituous,  and  pure, 
As  nearer  to  him  placed  or  nearer  tending, 
Each  in  their  several  active  spheres  assigned, 
Till  body  up  to  spirit  work,  in  bounds 
Proportioned  to  each  kind.     So  from  the  root 
Spyngs  lighter  the  green  stalk,  from  thence  the  leaves 
More  airy,  last  the  bright  consummate  flower 
Spirits  odorous  breathes:  flowers  and  their  fruit, 
Man's  nourishment,  by  gradual  scale  sublimed, 
To  vital  spirits  aspire,  to  animal, 
To  intellectual ;  give  both  life  and  sense, 
Fancy  and  understanding ;  whence  the  soul 
Reason  receives,  and  reason  is  her  being, 
Discursive,  or  intuitive  ;  discourse 
Is  oftest  yours,  the  latter  most  is  ours, 
Differhiu'  but  in  decrree.  of  kind  the  same. 
Wonder  not,  then,  what  God  for  you  saw  good, 
If  I  refuse  not,  but  convert,  as  you. 
To  ])roper  substance:  time  may  come,  when  men 
With  angels  may  participate,  and  find 
No  inconvenient  diet,  nor  too  light  fare ; 
And  from  these  corpoi'ul  nutriments,  p'Brhaps, 
Your  bodies  may  at  last, turn  all  to  spirit, 


PARADISE    LOST.  12  i 

Improved  by  tract  of  time,  and  winged  ascend 

Ethereal,  as  ^\■e  ;  or  may,  at  choice, 

Here  or  in  heaveijy  Paradises  dwell; 

If  ye  be  found  obedient,  and  retain 

Unalterably  lirm  his  love  entire, 

Whose  progeny  you  are.     Meanwhile,  enjoy 

Your  fill  what  happiness  this  happy  state 

Can  comprehend,  incapable  of  more." 

To  whom  the  patriarch  of  mankind  replied: 
"  O  favourable  spirit,  propitious  guest, 
Well  hast  tliou  taught  the  way  tliat  might  direct 
Our  knowledge,  and  the  scale  of  nature  set 
From  centre  to  circumstance,  whereon, 
In  contemplation   of  created  things, 
By  steps  we  may  ascend  to  God.     But  say, 
What  meant  that  caution  joined, '  if  ye  be  found 
Obedient  ?  '     Can  we  want  obedience  then 
To  him,  or  possibly  his  love  desert. 
Who  formed  us  from  the  dust,  and  placed  us  here, 
Full  to  the  utmost  hieasure  of  Avhat  bliss 
Human  desires  can  seek  or  apprehend  ?  " 

To  whom  the  angel :  "  Son  of  Heaven  and  earth. 
Attend  :  that  thou  art  happy,  owe  to  God ; 
That  thou  continuest  such,  owe  to  thyself, 
That  is,  to  thy  obedience ;  therein  stand. 
This  was  that  caution  given  thee  ;  be  advised. 
God  made  thee  perfect,  not  immutable ; 
And  good  he  made  thee,  but  to  persevere 
He  left  it  in  thy  power ;  ordained  thy  will, 
By  nature  free,  not  over-ruled  by  fate 
Inextricable,  or  strict  necessity  : 
Our  voluntary  service  he  requires. 
Not  our  necessitated ;  such  with  him 
Finds  no  acceptance,  nor  can  find ;  for  how 
Can  hearts,  not  free,  be  tried  whether  they  serve 
Willing  or  no,  Avho  will  but  what  they  must 
By  destiny,  and  can  no  other  choose? 
Myself,  and  all  the  angelic  host,  that  stand 
Id  sight  of  God  enthroned,  our  happy  state 
Hold,  as  you  yours,  while  our  obedience  holds  ; 


124  PARADISE    LOST. 

On  other  surety  none  :  freely  we  serve, 
Because  we  freely  love,  as  in  our  will 
To  love  or  not ;  in  tliis  we  stand  or  fall:    • 
And  some  are  fallen,  to  disobedience  fallen, 
And  so  from  Heaven  to  deepest  Hell ;  O  fall 
From  what  high  state  of  bliss,  into  what  woe !  ** 

To  whom  our  great  progenitor  :  "  Thy  words 
Attentive,  iind  with  more  delighted  ear, 
Divine  instructor,  I  have  heard,  than  when 
Cherubic  songs   by  night  from  neighbouring  hills 
x\erial  music  send  :  nor  knew  I  not 
To  be  both  will  and  deed  created  free  ; 
^'et  that  we  never  shall  forget  to  love 
Our  Makei",  and  obey  him,  whose  command 
Single  is  yet  so  just,  my  constant  thoughts 
Assured  me,  and  still  assure  ;  though  what  thou  tell'st 
Hath  passed  in  Heaven,  some  doubt  within  me  move. 
But  more  desii'e  to  hear,  if  thou  consent. 
The  full  relation,  which  must  needs  be  strange, 
Worthy  of  sacred  silence  to  be  heard  ; 
And  we  have  yet  large  day,  for  scarce  the  sun 
Hath  finished  half  his  journey,  and  scarce  begins 
His  other  half  in  the  great  zone  of  Heaven." 

Thus  Adam  made  request ;  and  Raphael, 
After  short  pause  assenting,  thus  began  : 

"High  matter  thou  enjoin'st  me,  O  prime  of  meo. 
Sad  task  and  hard  ;  for  how  shall  I  relate 
To  human  sense  the  invisible  exploits 
Of  warring  spirits  ?  how,  without  remorse, 
The  ruin  of  so  many  glorious  once 
And  perfect  while  they  stood  ?  how  last  unfold 
The  secrets  of  another  world,  perhaps 
Not  lawful  to  reveal  ?  yet  for  thy  good 
This  is  dispensed  ;  and  what  surmounts  the  reach 
Of  human  sense,  I  stiall  delineate  so. 
By  likening  s))iritual  to  corporal  forms. 
As  may  express  them  best;  though  what  if  earth 
Bo  but  the  shadow  of  Heaven,  and  things  therein 
.Each  to  other  like,  more  than  on  earth  is  thought? 

"  As  yet  this  world  was  not,  and  Chaos  wild 


PARADISE    LOST.  125 

R<^ignod  where  these  Heavens  now  roll,  where  earth  now 

Upon  her  eentre  imisccl ;  when  on  a  day  [rests 

(For  time,  tliongh  in  eternity,  applied 

To  motion,  measures  all  things  durable 

By  ]n*esent,  past,  and  future),  on  such  day 

As  Heaven's  great  year  brings  forth  the  empyreal  host 

Of  angels,  by  imperial  summons  called, 

Innumerable  before  the  Almighty's  throne 

Forthwith  from  all  the  ends  of  Heaven  appeared 

Under  their  hierarchs  in  orders  bi'ight ; 

Ten  thousand  thousand  ensigns  high  advanced, 

Standards  and  gonfalons  twixt  van  and  rear 

Stream  in  the  air,  and  for  distinction  serve 

Of  hierarchies,  of  orders,  and  degrees  ; 

Or  in  their  glittering  tissues  bear  emblazed 

Holy  memorials,  acts  of  zeal  and  love 

Recorded  eminent.     Tlius  when  in  orbs 

Of  circuit  inexjn-essible  they  stood, 

Orb  within  orb,  the  Father  infinite. 

By  whom  in  bliss  embosomed  sat  tlie  Son, 

Amidst  as  from  a  flaming  mount,  whose  top 

Brightness  had  made  invisible,  thus  spake : 

"  'Hear  all  ye  angels,  progeny  of  light. 
Thrones,  dominations,  princedoms,  virtues,  powers, 
Here  my  decree,  which  unrevoked  shall  stand. 
This  d;iy  I  have  begot  whom  I  declare 
My  only  Son,  and  on  this  holy  hill 
Him  have  annointed,  whom  ye  now  behold 
At  my  riglit  hand  ;  your  head  I  him  ap))oint; 
And  by  myself  have  sworn  to  him  shall  bow 
All  knees  in  Heaven,  and  shall  confess  hira  Lord: 
Under  his  great  vicegerent  reign  abide 
United  as  one  indi\idual  soul. 
For  ever  happy  :  him  who  disobeys. 
Me  disobeys,  break  union,  and  that  day, 
Cast  out   from  God  and  blessed  vision,  falls 
Into  utter  darkness,  deep  engulfed,  his  place 
Ordained  without  redemption,  without  end.' 

"  So  spake  the  Omnipotent,  and  with  his  words 
All  seemed  well  iileascd:   all  seemed,  but  were  not  all. 


126  PARADISE    LOST. 

Tliat  day,  as  other  solemn  days,  they  spent 

In  song  and  dance  about  the  sacred  hill ; 

Mystical  dance,  which  yonder  starry  sphere 

Of  planets  and  of  fixed  in  all  her  wheels 

Resembles  nearest,  mazes  intricate, 

Eccentric  intervolved,  yet  regular 

Then  most,  when  most  irregular  they  seem ; 

And  in  their  motions  harmony  divine 

So  smoothes  her  charming  tones,  that  God's  own  ear 

Listens  delighted.     Evening  now  approached 

(For  we  have  also  our  evening  and  our  morn, 

We  ours  for  change  delectable,  not  need)  ; 

Forthwith  from  dance  to  sweet  repast  they  turn 

Desirous ;  all  in  circles  as  they  stood. 

Tables  are  set,  and  on  a  sudden  piled 

With  angels'  food,  and  rubied  nectar  flows 

In  pearl,  in  diamond,  and  massy  gold. 

Fruit  of  delicious  vines,  the  growth  of  Heaven. 

On  flowers  reposed,  and  with  fresh  flowerets  crowned, 

They  eat,  they  drink,  and  in  communion  sweet 

Quaff  immortality  and  joy,  secure 

Of  surfeit  where  full  measure  only  bounds 

Excess,  before  the  all-bounteous  King,  who  showered 

With  copious  hand,  rejoicing  in  their  joy. 

Now  when  ambrosial  night,  witli  clouds  exhaled 

From  that  high  mount  of  God,  whence  light  and  shade 

Spring  both,  the  face  of  brightest  Heaven  had  changed 

To  grateful  twilight  (for  night  comes  not  there 

In  darker  veil),  and  roseate  dews  disposed 

All  but  the  unsleeping  eyes  of  God  to  rest ; 

Wide  over  all  the  plain,  and  wider  far 

Than  all  this  glorious  earth  in  plain  outspread 

(Such  are  the  courts  of  God),  the  angelic  throng, 

I)is])ersed  in  bands  and  files,  their  camp  exteud 

By  living  streams  among  the  trees  of  life. 

Pavilions  numberless,  and  sudden  reared, 

Celestial  tabernacles,  where  they  slept, 

Faiiiiod  with  cool  winds;  save  those  who  in  their  course 

Melodious  hymns  about  the  sovereign  throne 

Alternate  all  night  long  :  but  not  so  waked 


I'AUADISE    LOST,  127 

Satan  ;  so  call  him  now,  his  former  name 

Is  heard  no, more  in  Heaven;  he  of  llie  first, 

If  not  the  first  arcliangi-l,  great  in  j)0wcr, 

In  favor  and  pre-eminence,  yet  fraught 

Witli  envy  against  tlie  Son  of  God,  tliat  day 

Honoured  by  his  great  Father,  and  prochiimcd 

JMessinli  King  anointed,  could  not  l)ear 

Through  ]iride  that  sight,  and  tliought  himself  impaired. 

l)eej>  malice  thence  conceiving  and  disdain. 

Soon  as  midnight  brought  on  the  dusky  hour 

Friendliest  to  sleep  and  silence,  he  resolved 

With  all  his  legions  to  dislodge,  and  leave 

Unworshipped,  unobeyed,  the  throne  supreme, 

Contem].tuous  ;  and  his  next  subordinate 

Awakening,  thus  to  him  in  secret  spake  : 

"  '  Sleep'st  thou,  comj^anion  dear?  What  sleep  can  close 
Thy  eyc-Iids,  and  rememberest  what  decree 
Of  yesterday,  so  late  hath  passed  the  li])s 
Of  Heaven's  Almighty?     Thou  to  me  thy  thoughts 
Wast  wont,  I  mine  to  thee  was  wont  to  imjiart ; 
Both  waking  we  were  one;  how  then  can  now 
Thy  sleep  dissent?     New  laws  thou  seest  im])Osed  ; 
New  laws  from  him  Avho  reigns,  new  minds  may  raise 
In  us  who  serve,  new  counsels,  to  debate 
What  doubtful  may  ensue  :  more  in  this  place 
To  utter  is  not  safe.     Assemble  thou 
Of  all  those  myriads  Avhich  we  lead  the  chief; 
I'ell  them  that  by  command,  ere  yet  dun  night 
Her  shadowy  cloud  withdraws,  I  am  to  haste. 
And  all  who  undei-  me  their  banners  wave, 
Homeward  with  flying  maicli  where  we  possess 
The  (juarters  of  the  noilh  ;  there  to  prejjure 
Fit  entertainment  to  i-eceivc  our  King, 
'J'he  great  JNIessifdi,  aiid  his  new  commands, 
Who  s])eedily  through  all  the  hierarchies 
Intends  to  ])ass  triumjihant,  and  give  laws.' 

"  So  spake  the  false  archaugel,  and  infused 
Bad  influence  into  tlie  unwary  breast 
Of  his  asssociates:  he  together  calls, 
Or  several  one  by  one,  the  i-cgcnl  powers, 


128 


PARA  1)1, SP:    L()^ 


UndfT  him  regent;  tells,  as  lie  was  i;iU'j:ht, 
That  the  most  High  eoniinandiiig,  now  ere  night, 
Now  ere  dim  night  had  disencumbered  Heaven, 
Th(>  great  hierarchal  standard  was  to  move; 
Tells  the  suggested  cause,  and  casts  between 
Ambiguous  woi'ds  and  jealousies,  to  sound 
Or  taint  integi-ily :  but  all  obeyed 
The  wonted  signal,  and  superior  voice 
Of  their  great  potentate  ;  for  great  indeed 
His  name,  and  higii  was  his  degree  in  Heaven ; 
His  countenance,  as  the  morning-star  that  guides 
The  starry  flock,  allured  them,  and  with  lies 
Drew  after  him  the  third  part  of  Heaven's  host. 
Meanwhile  the  eternal  e.yc,  whose  sight  discerns 
Abstrusest  thoughts,  from  forth  his  holy  mount, 
And  from  within  the  golden  lamps  that  burn 
Nightly  before  him,  saw  without  their  light 
Rebellion  rising;  saw  tn  whom,  how  spread 
Among  the  sons  of  morn,  what  multitudes 
Were  banded  to  oppose  his  high  decree; 
And,  smiling,  to  his  only  Son  thus  said: 

"  '  Son,  thou  in  whom  my  glory  I  behold 
In  full  res^plendence,  heir  of  all  my  might, 
Nearly  it  now  concerns  us  to  be  sure 
Of  our  omnipotence,  and  with  what  arms 
We  mean  to  hold  what  anciently  we  claim 
Of  deity  or  empire  ;  such  a  foe 
Is  rising,  who  intends  to  erect  his  throne 
Equal  to  ours,  throughout  the  spacious  north; 
Nor  so  content,  hatli  in  his  thought  to  try 
In  battle,  wliat  >ur  power  is,  or  our  right. 
Let  us  advise,  and  to  this  hazard  draw 
Willi  speed  wliat  force  is  left,  and  all  employ 
In  our  defence,  lest  anawares  we  lose 
This  our  high  ]»lace,  our  sanctuary,  our  hill.' 

"  To  whom  the  Son,  with  calm  aspect  and  clear, 
Lightning  divine,  ineffable,  serene, 
J\[ade  answer:  'Mighty  Father,  thou  thy  foes 
Justly  hast  in  derision,  and  secure 
Laugh'st  at  their  vain  designs  and  tumults  \  ain. 


i'.\i:.\])isi.:   LOST.  V2\) 

Matter  to  uie  of  glory,  whom  their  hate 
lihistrates,  Avhon  tliey  see  all  regal  power 
(Jiven  me  to  quell  their  pride,  and  in  event 
Knew  whether  I  be  dexterous  to  subdue 
Thy  rebels,  or  be  found  the  worst  in  Heaven.' 

'•  So  spake  the  Son ;  but  Satan  with  his  powers 
Far  was  advanced  on  winged  speed,  an  host 
Innumerable  as  the  stars  of  night, 
Or  stars  of  morning,  dew-drops,  which  the  sun 
Irapearls  on  every  leaf  and  every  flower. 
Regions  they  passed,  the  mighty  regencies 
Of  seraphim,  and  potentates,  and  thrones, 
In  their  triple  degrees;  regions  to  which 
All  thy  dominion,  Adam,  is  no  more 
Than  what  this  garden  is  to  all  the  earth, 
And  all  the  sea,  from  one  entire  globose 
Stretched  into  longitude  ;  which  having  passed, 
At  length  into  the  limits  of  the  north 
They  came,  and  Satan  to  his  royal  seat, 
High  on  a  hill,  far  blazing,  as  a  mount 
Raised  on  a  mount,  with  pyramids  and  towers. 
From  diamond  quarries  hewn,  and  rocks  of  gold  ; 
The  place  of  great  Lucifer  (so  call 
That  structure  in  the  dialect  of  men 
Interpreted),  which  not  long  after,  he 
Affecting  all  equality  with  God, 
In  imitation  of  that  mount  Avhereon 
Messiali  was  declared  in  sight  of  Heaven, 
The  Mountain  of  the  Congregation  called  ; 
For  thither  he  assembled  all  his  train. 
Pretending  so  commanded  to  consult 
About  the  great  reception  of  their  King 
Thither  to  come,  and  with  calumnious  art 
Of  countei-feited  truth  thus  held  their  ears  : 

"  '  Thrones,  dominations,   princedoms,  virtues,  powers, 
If  these  magnific  titles  yet  remain 
Not  merely  titular,  since  by  decree 
Another  now  hath  to  himself  engrossed 
All  power,  and  us  eclipsed,  under  the  name 
Of  King  anointed,  for  whom  all  this  haste 

9 


130  PARADISE    LOST. 

Of  miVlniglit  marcli,  and  liiirried  meeting  here 
This  only  to  consult ;  how  we  may  best, 
Witli  what  may  be  devised  of  honours  new, 
Receive  him  coming  to  receive  from  us 
Knee-tribute  yet  unpaid,  prostration  vile, 
Too  much  to  one,  but  double  hoAV  endured, 
To  one  and  to  his  image  now  proclaimed? 
But  what  if  better  counsels  might  erect 
Our  minds,  and  teach  us  to  cast  off  this  yoke? 
Will  ye  submit  your  necks,  and  choose  to  bend 
The  supple  knee  ?     Yc  will  not  if  I  trust 
To  know  ye  right,  or  if  ye  know  yourselves. 
Natives  and  sons  of  Heaven,  possessed  before 
By  none,  and  if  not  equal  all,  yet  free. 
Equally  free  ;  for  orders  and  degrees 
Jar  not  with  liberty,  but  Avell  consist. 
Who  can  in  reason  then,  or  right,  assume 
Monarchy  over  such  as  live  by  right 
His  equals,  if  in  power  and  splendour  less, 
In  freedom  equal?  or  can  introduce 
Law  and  edict  on  us,  who,  without  law, 
Err  not?  much  less  for  this  to  be  our  Lord, 
And  look  for  adoration,  to  the  abuse 
Of  those  imperial  titles,  which  assert 
Our  being  ordained  to  govern,  not  to  serve.' 

"  Tlius  far  his  bold  discourse  without  control 
Had  audience,  when  among  the  seraphim 
Abdiel,  than  whom  none  with  more  zeal  adored 
The  Deity,  and  divine  commands  obeyed. 
Stood  up,  and  in  a  flame  of  zeal  severe. 
The  current  of  his  fury  thus  opposed : 

'"Oh,  argument  blasphemous,  false  and  proud  I 
Words  which  no  ear  ever  to  hear  in  Heaven 
Expected,  least  of  all  from  thee,  ingrate, 
In  place  thyself  so  high  above  tliy  peers. 
Canst  thou  with  impious  obloquy  condemn 
The  just  decree  of  God,  pronounced  and  sworn, 
That  to  his  only  Son,  by  right  endued 
Witli  regal  scejitre,  every  soul  in  Heaven 
Shall  bend  the  knee,  and  in  that  honour  due 


PARAniRE    T,Of5T.  181 

Confess  liiin  riglilful  Kino;  V  unjust,  thou  aayst, 

Flatly  unjust,  to  bind  vvitli  laws  the  free, 

And  equal  over  equals  to  let  reign. 

One  over  all  Avith  unsucceeded  power, 

Shalt  thou  give  law  to  God  ?  slialt  thou  dispute 

With  him  the  points  of  lil)erty,  who  made 

Thee  what  thou  art,  and  formed  the  ])Owers  of  Heaven 

Such  as  he  pleased,  and  circumscril>ed  their  being? 

Yet,  by  exj)ericnce  taught,  we  know  how  good, 

And  ot"  our  good  and  of  our  dignity 

How  i)rovident  he  is,  how  far  from  thought 

To  make  us  less,  bent  rather  to  exalt 

Our  happy  state  imder  one  head  more  near 

United.     But  to  grant  it  thee  unjust, 

That  equal  over  equals  monarch  reign  : 

Thyself,  thou  great  and  glorious,  dost  thou  count, 

Or  all  angelic  nature  joined  in  one, 

Equal  to  him  begotten  Son  ?  by  whom. 

As  by  liis  word,  the  mighty  father  made 

All  things,  even  thee  ;  and  all  the  spirits  of  Heaven 

By  him  created  in  their  bright  degrees,  • 

Crowned  them  with  glory,  and  to  their  glory  named 

Thrones,  dominations,  princedoms,  virtues,  powers. 

Essential  powers  ;  nor  by  his  reign  obscured. 

But  more  illustrious  made  ;  since  he  the  head, 

One  of  our  number  thus  reduced  becomes; 

His  laws  our  laws  ;  all  honour  to  him  done 

Returns  our  own.     Cease  then  this  impious  rage, 

And  tempt  not  these,  but  hasten  to  appease 

The  incensed  Father,  and  the  incensed  Son, 

While  pardon  may  be  found  in  time  besought.' 

"  So  spake  the  fervent  angel ;  but  his  zeal 
None  seconded,  as  out  of  season  judged, 
Or  singular  and  rash  ;  whereat  rejoiced 
The  apostate,  and  more  haughty  thus  replied  : 

"  '  That  we  were  formed  then,  sayest  thou  ?  and  the  work 
Of  secondary  hands,  by  task  transferred 
From  Father  to  his  Son  ?  strange  point  and  new ! 
Doctrine  which  we  would  know  whence  learned  :  who  saw 
When  this  creation  was  ?  rememberest  thou 


132  PARADis;!.:   rosT, 

Tbv  mnkiiicr,  "svliile  the  Maker  crave  thee  beinoj? 
We  know  no  time  Avlien  we  were  not  as  now; 
Know  none  before  us,  self-begot,  self-raised 
By  our  own  quickening  power,  when  fatal  course 
Had  circled  his  full  orb,  the  birth  mature 
Of  this  our  native -Heaven,  ethereal  sons. 
Our  puissance  is  our  own  ;  our  own  right  hand 
Shall  teach  us  highest  deeds,  by  proof  to  try 
Who  is  our  equal :  then  thou  shalt  behold 
Whether  by  supplication  we  intend 
Address,  and  to  begirt  the  almighty  throne 
Beseeching  or  besieging.     This  rej)ort, 
These  tidings  carry  to  the  anointed  King; 
And  fly,  ere  evil  intercept  thy  flight.' 

"  He  said,  and  as  the  sound  of  waters  deep, 
Hoarse  murmur  echoed  to  his  words  a])])lause   * 
Through  the  infinite  host ;  nor  less  for  that 
The  flaming  seraph  fearless,  though  alone, 
Encompassed  round  Avith  foes,  thus  answered  bold: 

"  '  O  alienate  from  God,  O -spirit  accursed, 
Forsaken  of  all  good  !  I  see  thy  fall 
Determined,  and  thy  hapless  crew  involved 
In  this  perfidious  fraud,  contagion  spread 
Both  of  thy  crime  and  punishment :  henceforth 
No  more  be  troubled  how  to  quit  the  yoke 
Of  God's  Messiah  ;  those  indulgent  laws 
Will  not  be  now  vouchsafed  ;  other  decrees 
Against  thee  are  gone  forth  Avithout  recall ; 
That  golden  sceptre,  which  thou  didst  reject. 
Is  now  an  iron  rod  to  bruise  and  break 
Thy  disobedience.     Well  thou  didst  advise; 
Yet  not  for  thy  advice  or  threats  I  fly 
These  wicked  tents  devoted,  lest  the  wrath 
Impendent,  raging  into  sudden  flanie, 
Distinguish  no't ;  for  soon  expect  to  feel 
His  thunder  on  thy  head,  devouring  fire. 
Then  who  created  thee  lamenting  learn, 
When  who  can  uncreate  thee  thou  shalt  know.' 

"  So  spake  the  seraph  Abdiel,  faithful  found 
Among  the  faithless,  faithful  only  he  ; 


T'lAlDlSK    LOST.  133 

Among  innumerable  false,  unmoved, 

Unshaken,  unsediieed,  iinterrified. 

His  loyalty  he  kept,  his  love,  his  zeal ; 

Nor  number,  nor  example,  with  him  wrought 

To  swerve  from  truth,  or  change  his  constant  mind, 

Though  single.     From  amidst  them  forth  he  passed, 

Long  way  through  hostile  scorn,  which  he  sustained 

Superior,  nor  of  violence  feared  aught ; 

And  Avith  retorted  scorn  his  back  he  turned 

Ou  those  proud  towers  to  swift  destruction  doomed. 


134  PAKAIJISE    LOST. 


BOOK  VI. 


THE    ARGUMENT, 

RArnAEL  continues  to  relate  liow  Jliclinel  and  Gfibriel  were  sent  forth 
to  battle  against  Satan  and  his  angels.  The  first  fight  described:  Satan 
and  his  powers  retire  under  night  :  he  calls  a  council,  invents  devilish 
engines,  which,  in  the  second  day's  fight,  put  Michael  and  his  angels  to 
some  disorder  ;  but  they  at  length,  pulling  up  inotmtaiiis,  overwhelmed 
both  the  force  and  machines  of  Satan  :  yet  the  tumult  not  so  ending, 
God  on  the  third  day  sends  Messiah  his  Son,  for  wln)m  he  had  reserved 
the  glory  of  that  victory:  he,  in  the  power  of  his  Father,  coming  to  tlie 
place,  and  causing  all  Ids  legions  to  stand  still  on  either  side,  with  liis 
chariot  and  thunder  driving  into  the  midst  of  his  enemies,  pursues  tlieni, 
unable  to  resist,  towards  the  wall  of  Heaven  ;  which  opening,  they  leaj) 
down  witli  horror  and  confusion  into  the  ])lace  of  punishment  prepared 
for  them  in  the  deep  :  IMessiah  returns  with  triumph  to  his  Father. 

"  All  night  the  dreadless  angel,  unpursued, 

Through  Heaven's  wide  champain  held  his  way;  till  morn, 

Waked  by  the  circling  hours,  with  rosy  hand 

Unbarred  the  gates  of  light.     There  is  a  cave 

Within  the  mount  of  God,  fast  by  his  throne. 

Where  light  and  darkness  in  perpetual  round 

Lodge    and    dislodge  by  turns,  which    makes    through 

Heaven 
Grateful  vicissitudes  like  day  and  night; 
Light  issues  forth,  and  at  the  other  door 
Obsequious  darkness  enters,  till  her  hour 
To  veil  the  heaven,  though  darkness  there  might  Avell 
Seem  twilight  here ;  and  now  woit  forth  the  morn, 
Such  as  in  highest  Heaven,  arrayed  m  gold 
Empyreal ;  from  before  her  vanished  night, 
Shot  through  with  orient  beams  ;  when  all  the  plain, 
Covered  with  thick  embattled  squadrons  bright, 
Chariots  and  flaming  arms,  and  liery  steeds. 
Reflecting  blaze  on  blaze,  first  met  his  view  : 


rARADIF?E    I.ORT.  135 

War  lie  perceived,  war  in  procinct,  and  found 
Already  known  wliat  lie  for  ncM's  had  thought 
'J'o  have  reported  :  gladly  then  he  mixed 
Ainong  those  friendly  powers,  whom  him  receivecl 
With  joy  and  acclamations  loud,  that  one. 
That  of  so  many  myriads  fallen,  yet  one 
lieturned  not  lost.     On  to  the  sacred  hill 
They  led  him  high  applauded,  and  present 
Before  the  seat  supreme ;  from  whence  a  voice, 
From  midst  a  golden  cloud  thus  mild  was  heard  : 

"  '  Servant  of  God,  well  done  !  well  hast  thou  fought 
The  better  fight,  who  single  hast  maintained 
Against  revolted  multitudes  the  cause 
Of  truth,  in  Avord  mightier  than  they  in  arms  ; 
And  for  the  testimony  of  truth  hast  borne 
Universal  rejiroach,  far  worse  to  bear 
Than  violence  ;  for  this  was  all  thy  care, 
To  stand  a])proved  in  sight  of  God,  though  Avorlds 
Judged  thee  perverse :  the  easier  conquest  now 
Remains  thee,  aided  by  this  host  of  friends, 
Back  on  thy  foes  more  glorious  to  return 
Than  scorned  thou  didst  depart;  and  to  subdue 
By  force,  who  reason  for  their  law  refuse  ; 
Right  reason  for  their  law,  and  for  their  King 
Messiah,  who  by  right  of  merit  reigns. 
Go,  Michael,  of  celestial  armies  prince, 
And  thou  in  military  prowess  next, 
(iabriel,  lead  forth  to  battle  these  my  sons 
Invincible,  lead  forth  my  armed  saints 
By  thousands  and  by  millions  ranged  for  fight, 
Kcpud  in  number  to  that  godless  crew 
Rebellious;  them  with  fire  and  hostile  arms 
Fearless  assault,  and  to  the  brow  of  Heaven 
Pursuing,  drive  them  out  from  God  and  bliss 
Into  their  place  of  punishment,  the  gulf 
Of  Tartarus,  which  ready  opens  wide 
His  fiery  chaos  to  receive  their  fall.' 

"  So  spake  the  sovran  voice,  and  clouds  began 
To  darken  all  the  hill,  and  smoke  to  roll 
In  dusky  wreaths,  reluctant  flames,  the  sign 


1B6  PARADISE    r.OST, 

Of  \s-rath  awaked  ;  nor  with  less  dread  the  loud 

Ethereal  trumpet  from  on  higli  'gan  blow : 

At  which  command  the  powers  militant, 

Tliat  stood  for  Heaven,  in  miglity  quadrate  joined 

Of  nnion  irresistible,  moved  on 

In  silence  their  bright  legions,  to  the  sound 

Of  instrumental  harmony,  that  breathed 

Heroic  ardour  to  adventurous  deeds 

Under  their  godlike  leaders,  in  the  cause 

Of  God  and  his  Messiah.     On  they  move 

Indissolubly  firm  ;  nor  obvious  hill. 

Nor  straitening  vale,  nor  wood,  nor  stream,  divides 

Their  perfect  ranks ;  for  high  above  the  ground 

Their  march  was,  and  the  passive  air  upbore 

Their  nimble  tread :  as  when  the  total  kind 

Of  birds,  in  orderly  array  on  wing, 

Came  summoned  over  Eden  to  receive 

Their  names  of  thee  ;  so  over  many  a  tract 

Of  Heaven  they  marched,  and  many  a  province  wide 

Tenfold  the  length  of  this  terrene :  at  last, 

Far  in  the  horizon  to  the  north  appeared 

From  skirt  to  skirt  a  fiery  region,  stretched 

In  battailous  as]iect  and  Jiearer  view 

Bristled  with  upright  beams  innumerable 

Of  rigid  spears,  and  hemlets  thronged,  and  shields 

Various,  with  boastful  argument  portrayed, 

The  banded  powers  of  Satan  hasting  on 

With  furious  expedition  ;  for  they  weened 

That  self-same  day  by  fight,  or  by  surprise, 

To  win  the  mount  of  God,  and  on  his  throne 

To  set  the  envier  of  his  state,  the  proud 

As])irer;  but  their  thouglits  proved  fond  and  vain 

In  tlie  midway  :  though  strange  to  us  it  seemed 

At  first,  that  angel  should  with  angel  war, 

And  in  fierce  hosting  meet,  who  wont  to  meet 

So  oft  in  festivals  of  joy  and  love 

Unanimous,  as  sons  of  one  great  Sire, 

Hymning  the  eternal  Father.     But  the  shout 

Of  battle  now  began,  and  rushing  sound 

Of  onset,  ended  soon  each  milder  thought. 


PAKADFSK     LOST.  137 

IIiLjh  in  the  miflst,  exalted  as  a  god, 

The  apostate  in  his  sun-bright  chariot  sat, 

T«h>l  of  majesty  divine,  enclosed 

With  flaming  cherubim  and  golden  shields  ; 

Then  lighted  from  his  gorgeous  throne  ;  for  now, 

'Twixt  host  and  host,  but  narrow  space  was  left, 

A  dreadful  interval,  and  front  to  front 

IVesented  stood  in  terrible  array 

Of  hideous  length  :  before  the  cloudy  van, 

On  the  rough  edge  of  battle  ere  it  joined, 

Satan,  with  vast  and  haughty  strides  advanced, 

Came  towering,  armed  in  adamant  and  gold; 

Abdiel  that  sight  endured  not,  where  he  stood 

Among  the  mightiest,  bent  on  highest  deeds. 

And  tluis  his  own  undaunted  heart  explores: 

*' '  O  Heaven  !    that  such  resemblance  of  the  Highest 
Should  yet  remain,  where  faith  and  realty 
Remain  not!  whei-efore  should  not  strength  and  might 
There  fail  where  virtue  fails,  or  weakest  prove 
Where  boldest,  though  to  sight  unconquerable  ? 
His  puissance,  trusting  in  the  Almighty's  aid, 
I  mean  to  try,  whose  reason  I  have  tried  . 
Unsound  and  false  ;  nor  is  it  aught  but  just, 
That  he  who  in  debate  of  truth  hath  won. 
Should  win  in  arms,  in  both  disputes  alike 
VicUn-;  though  brutish  that  co)itest  and  foul. 
When  reason  hath  to  deal  with  force,  yet  so 
]\[ost  reason  is  that  reason  overcome.' 

"So  ])ondei-ing,  and  from  his  armed  peers 
Forth  ste]iping  op])Osite,  half-way  he  met 
His  daring  foe,  at  this  prevention  more 
Incensed,  and  thus  securely  him  rlelied  : 

" '  Proud  !  art  thou  met  ?  thy  ho))e  was  to  have  reached 
The  height  of  thy  aspiring  unopposed. 
The  throne  of  God  unguarded,  and  his  side 
Abandoned  at  the  terror  of  thy  power 
Or  potent  tongue:  fool !  not  to  think  how  vain 
Against  the  Omnipotent  to  rise  in  arms; 
Wiio  out  of  smallest  tilings  could  without  end 
Have  raised  incessant  armies  to  defeat 


138  rArwS.oisK  lust* 

Thy  folly  ;  or,  with  solitary  hand, 
Reaching  beyond  all  limit,  at  one  blow 
Unaided  could  have  lini«hed  thee,  and  whelmed 
Thy  legions  under  darkness  :  but  thou  seost 
All  are  not  of  thy  train  ;  there  be  who  faith 
Prefer,  and  piety  to  God,  though  then 
To  thee  not  visible,  when  I  alone 
Seemed  in  thy  world  erroneous  to  dissent 
From  all:  my  sect  thou  seest ;  now  learn  too  late 
How  few  sometimes  may  know,  when  thousands  err, 
"  ^Vhom  the  grand  foe,  with  scornful  eye  askance, 
Thus  answered  :  '  111  for  thee,  but  in  wished  hour 
Of  my  revenge,  first  sought  for,  thou  return'st 
P'rom  flight,  seditious  angel !  to  receive 
Thy  merited  reward,  the  first  assay 
Of  this  right  hand  provoked,  since  first  that  tongue, 
lns])ired  with  contradiction,  durst  oppose 
A  third  part  of  the  gods,  in  synod  met 
Their  deities  to  assert ;  who,  while  they  feel 
Vigour  divine  within  them,  can  allow 
Omnijiotence  to  none.     But  well  thou  convst 
]>cfore  thy  fellows,  ambitious  to  win 
From  me  some  ])lume,  that  thy  success  may  show 
Destruction  to  the  rest :  this  pause  between 
(Unanswered  lest  thou  boast)  to  let  thee  know, 
At  first  I  thought  that  liberty  and  Heaven 
To  heavenly  souls  had  been  all  one  ;  but  now 
I  see  that  most  through  sloth  had  rathei-  serve, 
Ministering  spirits,  trained  up  in  feast  and  song; 
Such  hast  thou  armed,  tlie  minsti-elsy  of  Heaven, 
Servility  with  freedom  to  contend. 
As  both  their  deeds  compared  this  day  shall  ]>rove.' 

"To  whom  in  brief  thus  Abdiel  stern  replied: 
'  Apostate  !  still  thou  err'st,  nor  end  wilt  find 
Of  erring,  from  the  path  of  truth  remote: 
Unjustly  thou  deprav'st  it  with  the  name 
Of  servitude,  to  serve  whom  God  ordains, 
Or  nature  ;  God  and  nature  bid  the  same, 
When  he  who  rules  is  worthiest,  and  excels 
Them  whom  he  governs.     This  is  servitude. 


PA  K  A  DISK    LOST.  139 

To  serve  llio  iinwiso,  or  liini  who  liath  rebelled 
Atrniiist  his  worlliicr,  as  thine  now  serve  thee, 
Thyseli"  not  free,  but  to  tliyself  enthralled; 
"^'et  lewdly  dar'st  our  ministering  upbraid. 
iJeiun  ihou  in  Hell  thy  kingdom  ;  let  me  serve 
In  Ifeaveii  God  ever  blest,  and  his  divine 
Ijehests  obey,  wortliiest  to  be  obeyed  ; 
Yet  chains  in  Hell,  not  realms,  expect:  meanwhile 
h'rotn  me  returned,  as  erst  thou  saidst,  from  flight. 
This  greeting  on  thy  impious  crest  receive.' 
"  So  saying,  a  noble  stroke  he  lifted  high, 
Which  liung  not,  but  so  swift  with  tempest  fell 
On  the  proud  crest  of  Satan,  that  no  sight. 
Nor  motion  of  swift  thought,  less  could  his  shield, 
Such  ruin  intercept:  ten  \mccs  huge 
J  [e  back  recoiled  ;  tlie  tenth  on  bended  knee 
His  massy  spear  ui)stayed  ;  as  if  on  earth 
Winds  under  ground,  or  waters  forcing  way- 
Sidelong,  had  ])ushed  a  mountain  from  his  seat. 
Half  sunk  with  all  liis  pines.     Amazement  seized 
The  rebel  thrones,  but  greater  rage  to  see 
Thus  foiled  their  mightiest ;  ours  joy  filled,  and  shout, 
Presage  of  victory,  and  fierce  desire 
Of  battle:  whereat  Michael  bid  sound 
Tlie  Archangel  trumjiet :  through  the  vast  of  Heaven 
It  sounded,  and  the  faithful  armies  rung 
Ilosnnna  to  the  Highest ;  nor  stood  at  gaze 
The  adverse  legions  ;  nor  less  hideous  joined 
Tlie  horrid  shock.     Now  storming  fury  rose. 
And  clamour  such  as  heard  in  Heaven  till  now 
Was  never  ;  arms  on  armour  clashing  ])raycd 
Hon-ible  discord,  and  the  madding  wlieels 
Of  hiazen  chariots  raged  ;  dire  was  the  noise 
Of  conflict;  overhead  the  dismal  hiss 
Of  fiery  darts  in  flaming  volleys  flew, 
And  flying  vaulted  either  host  with  fire. 
So  under  fiery  cope  together  rushed 
Both  battles  main,  with  ruinous  assault 
And  incxlinguisliable  i-age.     All  Heaven 
Resounded,  and  hud  earth  bet'u  then,  all  (>avth 


140  PARADISK    LOST. 

Had  to  her  centre  shook.     What  wonder,  when 

Millions  of  fierce  encountering  angels  fought 

On  either  side,  the  least  of  whom  could  wield 

These  elements,  and  arm  him  with  the  force 

Of  all  their  regions  ?     How  much  more  of  power, 

Army  against  army  numberless  to  raise 

Dreadful  combustion  warring,  and  disturb, 

Though  not  destroy,  their  happy  native  seat ; 

Had  not  the  eternal  King  omnipotent. 

From  his  strong  hold  of  Heaven,  high  over-ruled 

And  limited  their  might;  though  numbered  such 

As  each  divided  legion  might  have  seemed 

A  numerous  host ;  in  strength  each  armed  hand 

A  legion  ;  led  in  fight,  yet  leader  seemed 

Each  wari-ior,  single  as  in  chief,  ex])ert 

When  to  advance,  or  stand,  or  turn  the  sway 

Of  battle,  open  when,  and  When  to  close 

The  ridges  of  grim  war:  no  thouglit  of  flight; 

None  of  retreat;  no  unbecoming  deed 

That  argued  fear  ;  each  on  himself  relied, 

As  only  in  his  arm  the  moment  lay 

Of  victory.     Deeds  of  eternal  fame 

Were  done,  but  infinite  ;  for  wide  was  spread 

That  war  and  various  ;  someti-mes  on  firm  ground 

A  standing  fight,  then  soaring  on  main  wing 

Tormented  aU  the  air;  all  air  seemed  then 

Conflicting  fire.     Long  time  in  even  scale 

The  battle  hung  ;  till  Satan,  who  that  day 

Prodigious  power  had  shown,  and  met  in  arms 

Xo  equal,  ranging  through  the  dire  attack 

Of  fighting  seraphim  confused,  at  length 

Saw  where  the  sword  of  Michael  smote,  and  felled 

Squadrons  at  once  ;  with  huge  two-handed  sway 

Brandished  aloft,  the  horrid  edge  came  down 

Wide  wasting  :  such  destruction  to  withstand 

He  hasted,  and  o])posed  the  rocky  orb 

Of  tenfold  adamant,  his  ample  shield, 

A  vast  circumference.     At  his  approach 

The  great  archangel  from  his  warlike  toil 

Surceased,  and  glad,  as  jiopmg  here  to  end 


PAllADISE    LOST.  141 

Intestine  war  in  Heaven,  the  arch  foe  siilxluod, 
Or  captive  dragged  in  cliaiiis,  witli  liostile  froAvn 
And  visage  all  inflamed,  first  thus  began  : 

"  'Author  of  evil,  unknown  till  thy  revolt. 
Unnamed  in  Heaven,  now  ])lenteous,  as  thou  seest 
These  acts  of  hateful  strife,  hateful  to  all, 
Though  lieaviest  by  just  measure  on  thyself 
And  thy  adherents:  how  hast  thou  disturbed 
Heaven's  blessed  peace,  and  into  nature  brought 
IVIisery,  unci-eated  till  the  crime 
Of  thy  rel)ellion  !  how  hast  thou  instilled 
Thy  malice  into  thousands,  once  upright 
And  faithful,  now  proved  false!     But  think  not  here 
To  trouble  holy  rest ;  Heaven  casts  thee  out 
From  all  her  confines.     Heaven,  the  seat  of  bliss, 
Brooks  not  the  woi-ks  of  violence  and  war. 
Hence  then,  and  evil  go  with  thee  along. 
Thy  offspring,  to  the  place  of  evil.  Hell, 
Thou  and  thy  wicked  crew;  there  mingle  broils, 
Ei-e  this  avenging  sword  begin  thy  doom. 
Or  some  more  sudden  vengeance,  Avinged  from  God, 
Precipitate  thee  Avith  augmented  pain.' 

"  So  spake  the  prince  of  angels :  to  Avhom  thus 
The  adversary  :  '  Nor  think  thou  Avith  Avind 
Of  airy  threats  to  awe,  Avhom  yet  Avith  deeds 
Thou  canst  not.     Hast  thou  turned  the  last  of  these 
To  flight,  or  if  to  fall,  but  that  they  rise 
Unvanquished,  easier  to  transact  Avith  me 
That  thou  shouldst  hope,  imperious,  and  Avitli  threats 
To  chase  me  hence  ?    Err  not  that  so  shall  end 
The  strife  Avhich  thou  call'st  evil,  but  we  style 
The  strife  of  glory ;  Avhich  we  mean  to  win, 
Or  turn  this  Heaven  itself  into  the  Hell 
Thou  fablest ;  here,  hoAvever,  to  dwell  free, 
If  not  to  reign  :  meanwhile  thy  utmost  force, 
And  join  him  named  Almighty  to  thy  aid ; 
I  fly  not,  but  have  sought  thee,  far  and  nigh.' 

"They  ended  parle,  and  botli  addressed  for  fight 
Unspeakable  :  for  Avho,  though  Avith  the  tongue 
Of  angels,  can  relate,  or  to  Avhat  things 


142  PARADISE    LOST. 

Liken  on  earth  cons:])iciions,  that  may  lift 

Iluinan  imagination  to  sucli  lieioflit 

Of  godlike  power  ?  for  likest  gods  they  seemed, 

Stood  tlicy  or  moved,  in  statne,  motion,  arms, 

Fit  to  decide  the  empire  of  great  Heaven. 

Now  waved  their  fiery  swords,  and  in  the  air 

IMade  horrid  circles;  two  broad  suns  their  shields 

])Iazed  ojiposite,  Avhile  expectation  stood 

III  horror  :  from  each  hand  with  speed  i-etired. 

Where  erst  was  thickest  figlit,  the  angelic  throng, 

And  left  large  field,  unsafe  within  the  wind 

Of  such  commotion  ;  such  as  (to  set  forth 

Great  things  by  small)  if,  nature's  concord  broke, 

Among  the  cojistellations  Avar  were  sprung:. 

Two  planets,  ruslimg  from  aspect  malign 

Of  fiercest  o]iposition,  in  mid  sky 

Should  combat,  and  their  jarring  s]?heres  confound. 

Together  both,  with  next  to  Almighty  arm. 

Uplifted  imminent;  one  stroke  they  aimed 

That  might  determine,  and  not  need  repeat, 

As  not  of  power  at  once  ;  nor  odds  appeared 

In  might  or  swift  ju-CAention  :  but  the  sAvord 

Of  JNIichael,  from  the  armoury  of  God 

Was  given  him  tempered  so,  that  neither  keen 

Nor  solid  might  resist  that  edo;e  :  it  met 

The  sword  of  Satan  with  steep  force  to  smite 

Descending,  and  in  half  cut  sheer;  nor  stayed, 

But  with  sv.'ift  wheel  i-CA'crse,  deep  entering,  shared 

All  his  right  side  :  then  Satan  first  knew  pain. 

And  Avrithcd  him  to  and  fro  convolved  ;  so  sore 

The  griding  SAVord  Avith  discontinuous  Avound 

Passed  thi'ough  him :  but  the  ethereal  substance  closed, 

Not  long  divisible,  and  from  the  gash 

A  stream  of  nectarous  humour  issuing  floAved 

Sanguine,  such  as  celestial  spirits  may  bleed, 

And  all  his  armour  stained,  erewhile  so  bright. 

FortliAvith  on  all  sides  to  his  aid  Avas  run 

I>y  angi'ls  many  and  strong,  Avho  interposed 

Defence,  Aviiile  olhcrs  bo)-c  him  on  their  sliields 

hiuk  (o  hib  chariot,  Avhcre  it  stood  retired 


PARADISE    LOST.  143 

From  off  tho  nekls  of  war  ;  tlierc  they  liiin  laid, 

Gnashiiis^  for  anguish  and  despite  and  sliame, 

To  find  himself  not  matchless,  and  his  pride 

Huiubled  by  such  rebuke,  so  far  beneath 

His  conlidence  to  equal  God  in  power. 

Yet  soon  he  healed  ;  for  spirits  that  live  throughout 

Vital  in  every  part,  not  as  frail  man 

In  entrails,  heart  or  head,  liver  or  reins, 

Cannot  but  by  annihilating  die  ; 

Nor  in  their  lic^uid  texture  mortal  wound 

Receive,  no  more  than  can  the  fluid  air. 

All  heart  they  live,  all  head,  all  eye,  all  ear, 

y\ll  intellect,  all  sense  ;  and,  as  they  ])lease, 

They  limb  themselves,  and  colour,  shape  or  size 

Assume,  as  likes  them  best,  condense  or  rare. 

"  Meanwhile  in  other  parts,  like  deeds  deserved 
Memorial,  where  the  might  of  Gabriel  fought, 
And  with  fierce  ensigns  pierced  the  deep  array 
Of  Moloch,  furious  king,  who  him  defied, 
And  at  his  chariot  wheels  to  drag  him  bound 
Threatened,  nor  from  the  Holy  One  of  Heaven 
Kefrained  his  tongue  blasphemous  ,  but  anon, 
Down  cloven  to  the  waist,  with  shattered  arms 
And  uncouth  pain  fled  bellowing.     On  each  wing 
Uriel  and  Ilaphael  his  vaunting  foe. 
Though  huge,  and  in  a  rock  of  diamond  armed, 
Vanquished  Adraraelech,  and  Asmadai, 
Two  potent  thrones,  that  to  be  less  than  gods 
Disdained,  but  meaner  thoughts  learned  in  their  flight, 
Mangled  with  ghastly  wounds  through  plate  and  mail. 
Nor  stood  unmindful  Abdiel  to  annoy 
The  atheist  crew,  but  with  redoubled  blow 
Ariel  and  Arioch,  and  the  violence 
Of  Ramiel,  scorched  and  blasted,  overthrew. 
I  might  relate  to  thousands,  and  their  names 
Eternize  here  on  earth  ;  but  those  elect 
Angels,  contented  with  their  fame  in  Heaven, 
Seek  not  the  ]u-aise  of  men  :  the  other  sort. 
In  might  though  wondrous  and  in  acts  ut"  war, 
Nor  of  renown  less  eager,  yet  by  doom 


144  PARADISE    LOST, 

Cancelled  from  Heaven -and  sacred  memory, 
Nameless  in  dark  oblivion  let  them  dwell. 
For  strength  from  truth  divided,  and  from  just, 
Illaudable,  nought  merits  but  dispraise 
And  ignominy,  yet  to  glory  aspires 
Vain-glorious,  and  through  infamy  seeks  fame  : 
Therefoi'e  eternal  silence  be  their  doom. 

"  And  no^Y,  their  mightiest  quelled,  the  battle  swerved, 
With  many  an  inroad  gored  ;  deformed  rout 
Entered,  and  foul  disorder  ;  all  the  ground 
With  shivered  armour  strown,  and  on  a  heap 
Chariot  and  charioteer  lay  overturned, 
And  fiery  foaming  steeds  ;  what  stood,  recoiled 
O'cr-wearied,  through  the  faint  Satanic  host 
Defensive  scarce,  or  with  pale  fear  surprised. 
Then  first  with  fear  surprised  and  sense  of  pain, 
Fled  ignominious,  to  such  evil  brought 
By  sin  of  disobedience,  till  that  hour 
Not  liable  to  fear,  or  flight,  or  pain. 
Far  otherwise  the  inviolable  sahits, 
In  cubic  phalanx  firm  advanced  entire, 
Invulnei-able,  impenetrably  armed  ; 
Such  high  advantages  their  innocence 
Gave  them  above  their  foes,  not  to  have  sinned. 
Not  to  have  disobeyed ;  in  sight  they  stood 
Unwearied,  unobnoxious  to  be  pained 
By  wound,  though  from  their  place  by  violence  moved. 

"  Now  night  her  course  began,  and,  over  Heaven 
Inducing  darkness,  grateful  truce  imposed. 
And  silence  on  the  odious  din  of  war ; 
Under  her  cloudy  covert  both  retired, 
Victor  and  vanquished  :  on  the  foughten  field 
Michael  and  his  angels  prevalent 
Encamping,  placed  in  guard  their  watches  round, 
Cherubic  waving  fires  :  on  the  other  part 
Satan  with  liis  rebellious  disappeared, 
Far  in  the  dark  dislodged;  and,  void  of  rest, 
His  ])otentates  to  council  called  by  night ; 
And  in  the  raidst  thus  undismayed  began  : 

" '  O  now  in  danger  tried,  now  known  in  armt^ 


PARADTSK    LOST.  I'lO 

Not  to  1)C  overpowered,  companions  dear, 

Found  wortliy  not  of  liberty  alone, 

Too  mean  pretence,  but  wlmt  we  more  affect, 

Honour,  dominion,  glory,  and  renown  ; 

Who  have  sustained  one  day  in  doubtful  fight 

(And  if  one  day,  why  not  eternal  days  ?) 

What  Heaven's  Lord  had  powerfullest  to  send 

Against  us  from  about  his  throne,  and  judged 

Suflicient  to  subdue  us  to  his  Avill, 

But  jiroves  not  so  :  then  fallible,  it  seems, 

Of  future  we  may  deem  him,  tliough  till  now 

Omniscient  thought.     True  is,  less  firmly  armed, 

Some  disadvantage  we  endured,  and  pain. 

Till  now  not  known,  but,  known,  as  soon  contemned 

Since  now  we  find  this  our  empyreal  form 

Incajiable  of  inortal  injury. 

Imperishable,  and  though  ])ierced  with  wound, 

Soon  closing,  and  by  native  vigour  healed. 

Of  evil  then  so  small  as  easy  think 

The  remedy  ;  ])erliapo  more  valid  arms, 

Weajions  more  violent,  when  next  we  meet. 

May  serve  to  better  us,  and  worse  our  foes. 

Or  equal  what  between  us  made  the  odds, 

In  nature  none;  if  other  hidden  cause 

Left  them  su])erior,  while  we  can  ])i-eserve 

Unhurt  our  minds  and  understanding  sound, 

Due  search  and  consultation  will  disclose.' 

"  He  sat :  and  in  the  assembly  next  upstood 
Nisroch,  of  principalities  the  prime  ; 
As  one  he  stood  escaped  from  cruel  fight, 
Sore  toiled,  his  riven  arms  to  havoc  hewn. 
And  cloudy  in  aspect  thus  answei-ing  spake  : 

"  '  Deliverer  from  new  lords,  leader  to  free 
Enjoyinent  of  our  right  as  gods;  yet  hard 
For  gods,  and  too  unequal  work  we  find, 
Against  unequal  arms  to  fight  in  pain. 
Against  unpained,  impassive;  fronr  which  evil 
Kuin  must  needs  ensue;  for  what  avails 
Valour  or  strength,  though  matchless,  (pielled  witli  pain 
Which  all  su))dues,  and  makes  i-cmiss  llic  hands 

10 


]  10  PARADISE    LOST. 

Of  miglitJest  ?     Sense  of  pleasure  we  may  well 
Spare  out  of  life,  per]ia])S,  aud  not  repine, 
But  live  content,  which  is  the  calmest  life: 
But  ])ain  is  perfect  misery,  the  worst 
Of  evils,  and,  excessive,  overturns 
All  patience.     He  wlio  therefore  can  invent 
With  wliat  more  forcible  we  may  offend 
Our  vet  un wounded  enemies,  or  arm 
Ourselves  with  like  defence,  to  me  deserves 
No  less  than  for  deliverance  what  we  owe.' 

"  Wiiereto,  with  look  composed,  Satan  replied: 
'  Not  uninvented  that,  v>hich  thou  aright 
Believ'st  so  main  to  our  success,  I  bring. 
Which  of  us  who  beholds  the  briglit  surface 
Of  this  ethereous  mould  whereon  we  stand, 
This  continent  of  sjvicious  Heaven,  adorned 
W^itli  ]>lan,  fruit,  ilower  ambrosial,  gems  and  gold ; 
Whose  eye  so  su]»erficially  surveys 
These  things,  as  not  to  mind  from  whence  they  grow 
Deej)  uiuTer  gi'ound,  materials  dark  and  crude, 
Of  si)irituous  and  fiery  spume,  tUl  touched 
With  Heaven's  ray,  and  tempered,  they  shoot  forth 
So  beauteous,  opening  to  the  ambient  Jight? 
These  in  their  dark  nativity,  the  deep 
Shall  yield  us,  pregnant  with  infernnl  flame ; 
Which  into  hollow  eno'ines  lono;  and  round 
i  hick-rammed,  at  the  other  bore  with  touch  of  fire 
Dilated  and  infuriate,  shall  send  forth 
From  far,  with  thundering  noise,  among  our  foes, 
Such  implements  of  mischief,  as  shall  dash 
To  pieces,  and  o'erwhelm  whatever  stands 
Adverse,  that  they  shall  fear  we  have  disarmed 
The  Thunderer  of  his  only  dreaded  bolt. 
Nor  long  shall  be  our  labour ;  yet,  ere  dawn, 
Effect  shall  end  our  wisii.     jMeanwhile  revive; 
Abandon  fear  ;  to  strength  and  counsel  joined 
Tluid<  nothing  hard,  much  less  to  be  despaired.' 

"  He  ended,  and  liis  words  their  di-oo})ing  cheer 
Enlightened,  and  their  languished  ho})e  revived. 
The  invention  all  admii'ed,  and  each,  how  he 


PAKADISK    r.ORT.  147 

Tu  be  tlic  inventor  missed  ;  so  easy  it  seeinofl 

Once  found,  wliicli  yet  uiifoiind  most  would  liave  thouglit 

Impossible  :  yet  lia})ly  of  thy  race 

In  future  days,  if  malice  should  abound, 

Some  one  intent  on  mischief,  or  iiis])ired 

With  devilish  machination,  might  devise 

Like  instrument  to  ])]auiic  the  sons  of  men 

For  sin,  on  wai-  and  mutual  slaugliter  bent. 

I\)rtli\vith  from  council  to  tlio  Avork  they  fiew ; 

None  nr<ruin<>-  stood  ;  innumerable  hands 

Were  ready  ;  m  a  moment  u])  they  turned 

Wide  the  celestial  soil,  and  saw  beneath 

Tlie  originals  of  nature  in  their  crude 

Concejition  ;  sulphurous  and  nitrous  foam 

They  found,  they  mingled,  and,  with  subtle  art 

Concocted  and  adjusted,  they  reduced 

To  blackest  grain,  and  into  store  conveyed : 

Part  liidden  veins  digged  up  (nor  hath  this  earth 

Entrails  unlike)  of  mineral  and  stone, 

Whei-eof  to  found  their  engines  and  their  balls 

Of  missive  ruin  ;  part  incentive  reed 

Provide,  pernicious  with  one  touch  to  fire. 

So  all  ere  day-spring,  under  conscious  iiiglit. 

Secret  they  finished,  and  in  order  set, 

W^ith  silent  circumspectujn,  unespied. 

"  Now  when  fair  morn  orient  in  Heaven  appeared, 
U]>  rose  the  victor  angels,  and  to  arms 
The  matin  trumped  sung  :  in  arms  they  stood 
Of  golden  panoply,  refulgent  host. 
Soon  banded  ;  others  from  the  dawning  hills 
Looked  round,  and  scouts  each  coast  light-armed  scour, 
Each  quarter,  to  descry  the  distant  foe, 
Where  lodged,  or  whither  tied,  or  if  for  fight, 
In  motion  or  in  halt :  him  soon  they  meet 
Under  spread  ensigns  moving  nigh,  in  slow 
But  firm  battalion  ;  back  with  sj^eediest  sail 
Zo])hiel,  of  cherubim  the  swiftest  wing. 
Come  flying,  and  in  mid  air  aloud  thus  cried : 

"  '  Arm,  warriors,  arm  for  fight !  the  foe  at  band, 
Whom  fled  we  thought,  will  save  us  long  pursuit 


148  PARADISE    LOST. 

This  (lay  ;  fear  not  IiIr  flight ;  so  thick  a  clond 
He  coincs,  and  settled  in  his  face  I  see 
8ad  resolution  and  secure:  let  each 
His  adamantine  coat  gird  well,  and  each 
Fit  well  his  helra,  gripe  fast  his  orbed  shield, 
Borne  even  or  high  ;  for  this  day  will  pour  down, 
If  I  conjecture  aught,  no  drizzling  shower, 
But  rattling  storm  of  arrows  barbed  with  fire.' 

"  So  warned  he  them,  aware  themselves,  and  soon 
In  order,  quit  of  all  impediment. 
Instant  without  disturb  they  took  alarm. 
And  onward  moved  embattled  :  when,  Jbehold, 
Not  distant  far,  with  lieavy  pace,  the  foe 
Approaching  gross  and  huge,  in  hollow  cube 
Training  his  devilish  enginery,  impaled 
On  every  side  with  shadoAving  squadrons  deep, 
To  hide  the  fraud.     At  interview  both  stood 
Awhile  ;  but  suddenly  at  head  appeared 
Satan,  and  thus  was  heard  commanding  loud: 

"  '  Vanguard,  to  right  and  left  the  front  unfold  ; 
That  all  may  see  who  hate  us,  how  we  seek 
Peace  and  composure,  and  with  open  breast 
Stand  ready  to  receive  them,  if  they  like 
Our  overture,  and  turn  not  back  jierverse ; 
But  that  I  doubt ;  however,  witness  Heaven, 
Heaven  witness  thou  anon,  while  we  discharge 
Freely  out  part ;  ye  who  appointed  stand. 
Do  as  you  have  in  charge,  and  briefly  touch 
What  we  propound,  and  loud,  that  all  may  hear.* 

"  So  scoffing,  in  ambiguous  words,  he  scarce 
Had  ended,  when  to  rig-lit  and  left  the  front 
Divided,  and  to  either  flank  retired  : 
Which  to  our  eyes  discovered,  new  and  strange, 
A  triple  mounted  row  of  pillars  laid 
On  wheels  (for  like  to  pillars  most  they  seemed. 
Or  hollowed  bodies  made  of  oak  or  fir. 
With  branches  lojtped,  in  wood  or  mountain  felled) 
Brass,  iron,  stony  mould,  had  not  their  mouths 
With  liidcous  orifice  ga])ed  on  us  wide, 
Portending  hollow  ti-uce  ;  at  each  behind 


PARADISE    LOST,  149 

A  seraph  stood,  and  in  his  hand  a  reed 

Stood  waving,  tipped  with  fire  ;  while  we,  suspense, 

Collected  stood  within  our  thoughts  amused, 

Not  long  ;  for  sudden  all  at  once  their  reeds 

Put  forth,  and  to  a  narrow  vent  applied 

With  nicest  toueli.     Immediate  in  a  flame, 

But  soon  ohscured  with  smoke,  all  Heaven  appeared, 

From  those  deep-throated  engines  belched,  whose  roar 

Embowelled  with  outrageous  noise  the  air. 

And  all  her  entrails  tore,  disgorging  foul 

Their  devilish  glut,  chained  thunderbolts  and  hail 

Of  iron  globes  ;  which,  on  the  victor  host 

Levelled,  with  such  impetuous  fury  smote. 

That  Avhoni  tlicy  hit,  nofte  on  their  feet  might  stand, 

Though  standing  else  as  rocks,  but  down  they  fell 

By  thousands,  angel  on  archangel  rolled. 

The  sooner  for  their  arms  :  unarmed  they  might 

Have  easily,  as  spirits,  evaded  swift 

By  quick  contration  or  remove  ;  but  now 

Foul  dissipation  followed,  and  forced  rout ; 

Nor  served  it  to  relax  their  serried  files. 

What  should  they  do  ?  if  on  they  rushed,  repulse 

Repeated,  and  indecent  overthrow 

Doubled,  would  render  them  yet  more  despised. 

And  to  their  foes  a  laughter  ;  for  in  view 

Stood  ranked  of  seraphim  another  row. 

In  posture  to  displode  their  second  tire 

Of  thunder  :  back  defeated  to  return 

They  worse  abhorred.     Satan  beheld  their  plight, 

And  to  his  mates  thus  in  derision  called  : 

"  O  friends,  why  come  not  on  these  victors  pi'oud? 
Erewhile  they  fierce  were  coming ;  and  when  we, 
To  entertain  them  fair  with  open  front 
And  breast  (what  could  wo  more  ?)  propounded  terms 
Of  composition,  straight  they  changed  their  minds, 
Flew  off,  and  into  strange  vagaries  fell, 
As  they  would  dance  ;  yet  for  a  dance  they  seemed 
Somewliat  extravagant  and  wild,  perhaps 
For  joy  of  offered  peace  :  but  I  suppose, 
If  our  pr(i])osals  once  again  were  heard. 


150  T'AUADTSH    LOST. 

We  should  compel  tliem  to  a  quick  vcsult.' 

"  To  whom  thus  Belial,  in  like  g;xinesomc  mood : 
'Leader,  the  terms  Ave  seut  were  leniis  of  weight, 
Of  hard  contents,  and  full  of  force  ui-ged  home, 
Such  as  we  might  perceive  amused  them  all, 
And  stumbled  many;  who  receives  them  right, 
Had  need  from  head  to  foot  well  understand  ; 
Not  understood,  this  gift  they  have  besides, 
They  show  us  when  our  foes  walk  iu)t  upright.' 
"  So  they  among  themselves,  in  i)leasant  vein, 
Stood  scoffing,  heightened  in  their  thoughts  heyond 
All  doubt  of  victory  ;  eternal  might 
To  match  with  their  inventions  they  presumed 
So  easy,  and  of  his  thunder  made  a  scorn. 
And  all  his  host  derided,  while  they  stood 
Awhile  in  trouble  :  but  they  stood  not  long  ; 
Rage  prompted  them  at  length,  and  found  them  arms 
Against  such  hellish  mischief  fit  to  oppose. 
Forthwith  (behold  the  excellence,  the  power, 
Which  God  hath  in  his  mighty  angels  placed) 
Their  arms  away  they  threw,  and  to  the  hills 
(For  earth  hath  this  variety  from  Heaven 
Of  ])Ieasurc  situate  in  hill  and  dale) 
Light  as  the  lighting  glimpse  they  ran,  they  flew; 
From  their  foundations  lossening  to  and  fro 
They  j.lucked  the  seated  hills  with  all  their  load, 
Koc'ks,  waters,  woods,  and  by  the  shaggy  tops 
Uplifting  bore  them  in  their  hands  :  amaze. 
Be  sure,  and  terror,  seized  the  rebel  host. 
When  coming  towards  them  so  dread  they  saw 
The  bottom  of  the  mountains  upward  turned  ; 
Till  on  those  cursed  engines,  tri))le  row 
They  saw  them  whelmed,  and  all  their  confidence 
Under  the  Aveight  of  mountains  buried  deep  ; 
Themselves  invaded  next,  and  on  their  heads 
Main  jtromontories  flung,  Avhich  in  the  air 
Came  shadowing,  and  o])pressed  Avhole  legions  armed; 
Their  armour  heljjed  their  harm,  crushed  in  and  bruised 
Into  their  substance  pent,  which  wrought  them  jtain 
Implacable,  and  many  a  dolorous  groan, 


PARAIJISK    LOST,  101 

Long  struggling  unclonic.atli,  ore  tlicy  could  wind 
Outof  sncli  jirisoTi,  though  spirits  of  ])urest  light, 
Purest  at  iirst,  now  gross  by  sinning  grown 
The  rest  in  imitation  to  like  arras 
]]etov)k  them,  and  the  neighboring  hills  u])tore; 
l'.o  hills  amid  the  air  encountered  hills 
J  Furled  to  and  fro  with  jaculation  dire, 
That  under  ground  they  fought  in  dismal  shade ; 
infernal  noise  !  wai-  seemed  a  civil  game 
To  this  u])r()ar;  horrid  confusion  heaped 
IT])on  confusion  rose:  and  now  all  Heaven 
Had  gone  to  wrack,  witli  ruin  overspread, 
Had  iiot  the  Almighty  Father,  where  he  sits 
Shrined  in  his  sanctuary  of  Heaven  secure, 
Consulting  on  the  sum  of  things,  foreseen 
This  tumult,  and  ]>ermitted  all,  advised: 
That  his  great  purpose  he  might  so  fulfil, 
To  honor  his  anointed  Son  avenged 
Upon  his  enemies,  and  to  declare 
Ail  power  on  him  transferred  :  wlience  to  his  son, 
The  assessor  of  his  throne,  he  thus  began  : 
"  '  Effulgence  of  niy  glory.  Son  beloved, 
Son  in  whose  face  invisible  is  beheld 
Visibly,  what  by  deity  I  am, 
And  in  whose  hand  what  by  decree  I  do, 
Second  Omnipotence  !  two  days  are  j)ast, 
Two  days,  as  we  compute  the  days  of  Heaven, 
Since  Michael  and  his  powers  went  forth  to  tame 
These  disobedient;  sore  hath  been  their  figlit, 
As  likeliest  was,  when  two  such  foes  met  armed; 
For  to  themsehcs  I  left  them  ;  and  thou  knowest 
Ecpial  in  their  creation  they  were  formed. 
Save  what  sin  hath  im])aired,  Avhich  yet  hath  wrought 
Insensibly,  for  I  suspend  their  doom  ; 
Whence  in  prepetual  fight  they  needs  must  last 
Endless,  and  no  solution  will  be  found  : 
War  wearied  hath  performed  what  war  can  do, 
And  to  disordered  rage  let  lose  the  reins, 
With  mountains  as  with  weapons  armed,  which  makes 
W^ild  work  in  Heaven,  and  dangerous  to  the  main. 


1-")2  PARADISE    LOST. 

Two  days  are  llierefore  past,  the  third  is  thine ; 
For  thee  I  have  ordained  it,  and  thus  far 
Have  suffered,  that  the  glory  may  be  thine 
Of  ending  this  great  war,  since  none  but  thou 
Can  end  it.     Into  thee  such  virtue  and  grace 
Immense  I  have  transfused,  that  all  may  know 
In  Heaven  and  Hell  thy  power  above  compare; 
And,  this  perverse  commotion  governed  thus, 
To  manifest  the  worthiest  to  be  Heir 
Of  all  things,  to  be  Heir  and  to  be  King 
By  sacred  unction,  thy  deserved  right. 
Go  then,  thou  mightiest  in  thvFather's  might, 
Ascend  my  chariot,  guide  the  rapid  wheels 
That  shake  Heaven's  basis,  bring  fortli  all  my  "war, 
My  bow  and  thunder,  my  abnighty  arms 
Gird  on,  and  sword  upon  thy  puissant  thigh  ; 
Pursue  these  sons  of  darkness,  drive  them  out 
From  all  Heaven's  bounds  into  the  utter  deep; 
There  let  them  learn,  as  likes  tliem,  to  despise 
God  and  Messiah  his  anointed  King.' 

"  He  said,  and  on  his  Son  with  rays  direct 
Shone  full ;  he  all  his  Father  full  expressed 
Ineffably  into  his  face  received  ; 
And  thus  the  filial  Godhead  answering  spake : 

" '  O  Father,  O  supreme  of  heavenly  thrones, 
First,  highest,  holiest,  best !  thou  always  seek'st 
To  glorify  thy  Son,  I  always  thee, 
As  is  most  just ;  this  I  my  glory  account, 
My  exaltation,  and  my  whole  delight. 
That  thou  in  me,  well  pleased,  declar'stthy  will 
Fulfilled,  which  to  fulfil  is  all  ray  bliss. 
Sceptre  and  power,  thy  giving,  I  assume 
And  gladlier  shall  resign,  when  in  the  end 
Thou  shalt  be  all  in  all,  and  I  in  thee 
For  ever,  and  in  me  all  whom  thou  lov'st : 
But  whom  thou  hat'st,  I  hate,  and  can  put  on 
Thy  terrors,  as  I  i)ut  tliy  mildness  on, 
Image  of  thee  in  all  tilings,  and  shall  soon. 
Armed  with  thy  might,  rid  Heaven  of  these  rebelled, 
To  their  i)repared  ill  mansion  driven  doAvn, 


PARADISE    LOST.  153 

To  cliaiiis  of  darkness,  and  tlic  undying  worm, 

That  from  tliy  just  obedience  could  revolt, 

Whom  to  obey  is  happiness  entire. 

Then  shall  thy  saints  unmixed,  and  from  the  impure 

Far  soi)arate,  circliiii;;  thy  holy  mount, 

Unfeii^nu'd  hallelujalis  to  thee  sing, 

llymns  of  high  praise,  and  I  among  them  chief.' 

"  So  said,  he,  o'er  his  scejitre  bowing,  rose 
From  tlie  right  hand  of  gh^ry  where  he  sat; 
And  the  third  sacred  morn  began  to  shme,  [sound 

Dawning  through  Heaven  :  forth  rushed  with  whirlwind 
Tlie  ch.'iriot  of  paternal  Deity, 

Flashing  tliick  flames,  wheel  within  wheel  undrawn, 
Itself  mstinct  with  spirit,  but  convoyed 
By  four  cherubic  shapes;  four  faces  each 
Had  wondrous  ;  as  with  stars  their  bodies  all 
And  wings  Avere  set  with  eyes,  with  eyes  the  wheels 
Of  beryl,  and  careering  fires  between  ; 
Over  their  Tieads  a  crystal  firmament. 
Whereon  a  sapphire  throne,  inlaid  with  pure 
Amber,  and  colors  of  the  showery  arch. 
He,  in  celestial  panoply  all  armed 
Of  radiant  Urim,  work  divinely  wrought, 
Ascended  ;  at  his  right  hand  victory 
Sat  eagle-winged  ;  beside  him  hung  his  bow 
And  quiver  with  three-bolted  thunder  stored. 
And  from  about  him  fierce  effusion  rolled 
Of  smoke,  and  bickering  flame,  and  sparkles  dire  : 
Attended  -with  ten  thousand  thousand  saints, 
He  onward  came ;  far  off  his  coming  shone  ; 
And  twenty  thousand  (I  their  number  heard) 
Chariots  of  God,  half  on  each  hand,  were  seen : 
He  on  the  wings  of  cherub  rode  sublime 
On  the  crj'stalline  sky,  in  sapphire  throned, 
Illustrious  far  and  wide,  but  by  his  own 
First  seen  ;  them  unexpected  joy  sur])rised, 
When  the  great  ensign  of  Messiah  blazed 
Aloft  bv  ancrels  borne,  his  sia^n  in  Heaven  ; 
Under  whose  conduct  Michael  soon  reduced 
His  army,  circumfused  on  either  wing, 


'fM 


154  PAUADISK    LOST. 

Under  their  Head  embodied  nil  in  one, 
l^efore  him  ]K)\ver  divine  liis  \\ny  prepared  ; 
At  his  eonnnand  the  iii)rooted  liills  retired 
Kacli  to  his  place  ;  they  heard  liis  voice,  and  went 
Obsequious  ;  Heaven  his  Avonted  face  i-enewed, 

\nd  with  fresli  flowerets  liill  and  valley  smiled. 

I'iiis  saw  his  hapless  foes,  but  stood  obdured, 
And  to  rebellious  fight  rallied  their  powers 
Insensate,  hojie  conceiving  from  despair. 
In  heavenly  spirits  could  such  perverseness  dwell? 
But  to  convince  the  proud  what  signs  avail, 
Or  Avondcrs  move  the  obdurate  to  relent? 
They,  hardened  more  by  what  might  most  reclaim, 
Grieving  to  see  his  glory,  at  the  sight 
Took  envy  ;  and,  aspiring  to  his  height, 
Stood  re-embattled  fierce,  by  force  or  fraud 
Weening  to  prosper,  and  at  length  i)revail 
Against  God  and  Messiah,  or  to  fall  . 
In  universal  ruin  last ;  and  now 
To  final  battle  drew\  disdaining  flio-ht, 
Or  faint  retreat ;  wdien  the  great  Son  of  God 
To  all  his  host  on  either  hand  thus  spake  : 

"  '  Stand  still  in  bright  array,  ye  saints;  here  stand, 
Ye  angels  armed  ;  this  day  from  battle  rest. 
Faithful  hath  been  your  warfare,  and  of  God 
Acce]ned,  fearless  in  his  righteous  cause  ; 
And  as  ye  have  received,  so  have  ye  done 
Invincibly :  but  of  this  cursed  crew 
The  punishment  to  other  hand  belongs  ; 
Vengeance  is  his,  or  Avliose  he  sole  a]ipoints : 
Number  to  this  day's  work  is  not  ordained, 
Nor  multitude  ;  stand  only  and  behold 
God's  indignation  on  these  godless  poured 
By  me  ;  not  yon,  but  me,  they  have  despised. 
Yet  envied;  against  me  is  all  their  rage. 
Because  the  Father,  to  whom  in  Heaven  supreme 
Kingdom,  and  power,  and  glory,  appertains, 
Hath  honored  me  according  to  his  will. 
Therefore  to  me  their  doom  he  hath  assigned, 
Thai  they  may  have  their  wish,  to  try  with  mc 


PARADISE    LOST.  156 

III  battle  wliich  tlie  strongest  proves,  tliey  all, 
()]•  I  alone  against  them,  since  by  strength 
They  measure  all,  of  other  excellence 
Not  emulous,  nor  care  Avho  them  excels  ; 
Nor  other  strife  with  them  do  I  vouchsafe.' 

"So  si)ake  the  Son,  and  into  terror  changed 
Tlis  countenance  too  severe  to  be  beheld, 
And  full  of  wrath  bent  on  his  enemies. 
At  once  the  four  spread  out  their  starry  wings 
Witli  dreadful  shade  contiguous,  and  the  orbs 
Of  his  tiei-ce  chariot  rolled,  as  with  the  sound 
OF  torrent  floods,  or  of  a  numerous  host. 
]Te  on  his  impious  foes  right  onward  drove, 
(bloomy  as  night;  under  his  burning  wheels 
'Jlie  stedfast  empyrean  shook  throughout, 
All  but  the  throne  itself  of  God.     Full  soon 
Among  them  he  arrived,  in  his  right  hand 
(xrasping  ten  tliousand  tliunders,  which  he  sent 
IJefore  him,  such  as  in  their  souls  infixed 
]'lagues;  they,  astonished,  all  resistance  lost, 
A\ll  courage;  down  their  idle  weapons  dropped; 
O'er  shields,  and  helms,  and  helmed  heads,  he  i-ode 
Of  thrones  and  mighty  seraphim  ])rostrate, 
That  wished  the  mountains  now  u^ight  be  again 
Thrown  on  them  as  a  shelter  from  his  ire. 
Nor  less  on  either  side  tempestuous  fell 
His  arrows,  from  the  fourfold-visaged  four 
Distinct  wdth  eyes,  and  from  the  living  wheels 
Distinct  alike  with  multitude  of  eyes ; 
One  spirit  in  them  ruled,  and  every  eye 
Glared  lightning,  and  shot  forth  pernicious  fire 
Among  the  accursed,  that  withered  all  their  strength, 
And  of  their  wonted  vigor  left  them  drained. 
Exhausted,  spiritless,  afflicted,  fallen. 
Yet  half  his  strength  he  put  not  forth,  but  checked 
His  thunder  in  mid  volley  ;  for  he  meant 
Not  to  destroy,  but  root  them  out  of  Heaven : 
The  overthrown  he  raised,  and,  as  a  herd 
Of  goats  or  timorous  Hock  together  throiigcil, 
Drove  ihera  before  him  thunderstruck,  |)ursued 


156  PARADISE    LOST. 

With  terrors  and  with  furies  to  the  bounds 
And  crystal  wall  of  Heaven  ;  which,  opening  wide, 
Rolled  inv/ard,  and  a  spacious  gap  disclosed 
Into  the  wasteful  deep ;  the  monstrous  sight 
Struck  them  with  horror  backward,  but  far  worse 
Urged  them  behind  ;  headlong  theraseh-es  they  threw 
Down  from  the  verge  of  Heaven  ;  eternal  wrath 
Bui-nt  after  them  to  the  bottomless  pit. 

"  Hell  heard  the  unsufferable  noise  ;  Hell  saw 
Heaven  ruining  from  Heaven,  and  would  have  fled 
Affrighted ;  but  strict  fate  had  cast  too  deep 
Her  dark  foundations,  and  too  fast  had  bound. 
Nine  days  they  fell ;  confounded  Chaos  roared, 
And  felt  tenfold  confusion  in  their  fall 
Through  his  wild  anarcliy,  so  huge  a  rout 
Encumbered  him  with  ruin  :  Hell  at  last 
Yawning  received  them  whole,  and  on  them  closed; 
Hell,  their  fit  habkation,  fraught  with  fire 
Unquenchable,  the  house  of  woe  and  pain. 
Disburdened  Heaven  rejoiced,  and  soon  repaired 
Her  mural  breach,  returning  whence  it  rolled. 
Sole  victor,  from  the  expulsion  of  his  foes, 
Messiah  his  triumphal  chariot  turned  : 
To  meet  him  all  his  saints,  who  sUent  stood 
Eye-witnesses  of  his  almighty  acts, 
With  jubilee  advanced  ;  and  as  they  went,  _ 
Shaded  with  branching  palm,  each  order  bright 
Sung  triumph,  and  him  sung  victorious  King, 
Son,  Heir,  and  Lord  to  him  dominion  given, 
Worthiest  to  reign :  he  celebrated  rode 
Triumphant  through  mid  Heaven,  into  the  courts 
And  temple  of  his  mighty  Father  throned 
On  high ;  who  into  glory  him  received, 
Where  now  he  sits  at  the  right  hand  of  bliss. 

"  Thus  measuring  things  in  Heaven  by  things  on  earth, 
At  thy  request,  and  that  thou  mayst  beware 
By  what  is  past,  to  thee  I  liave  revealed 
What  might  liave  else  to  human  race  been  hid; 
The  discord  vvliich  befell,  and  war  in  Heaven 
Among  the  angelic  powers,  and  the  deep  fall 


f 


PARADISE    LOST.  157 

Of  those  too  high  aspiring,  who  rebelled 
Witli  Satan ;  he  who  envies  now  thy  state, 
Who  now  is  plotting  how  he  may  seduce 
Thee  also  from  obedience,  that  with  liim 
Bereaved  of  happiness  thou  mayst  partake 
Ilis  punishment,  eternal  misery  ; 
Which  would  be  all  his  solace  and  revenge, 
As  a  despite  done  against  the  most  High, 
Thee  once  to  gain  companion  of  his  woe. 
But  listen  not  to  his  temptations  ;  warn 
Thy  weaker;  let  it  profit  thee  to  have  heard 
By  terrible  example  the  reward 
Of  disobedience  ;  firm  they  might  have  stood. 
Yet  fell ;  remember,  and  fear  to  transgress." 


158  PARADISE    LOST. 


BOOK  VII. 

THE  ARGUMENT. 

Raphael,  at  the  request  of  Adam,  relates  how  and  wherefore  this  world 
was  tirst  created  ;  that  God,  after  the  expelling  of  Satau  and  his  aiipels 
out  of  Heaven,  declared  his  pleasure  to  create  auother  world,  and  other 
creatures  to  dwell  therein  ;  sends  his  Son  with  glory  and  attendance  of 
angels  to  perform  the  work  of  creation  in  sLs  days  ;  the  angels  celebrate 
with  hymns  the  performance  thereof,  and  his  reascensioii  into  Heayeu. 

Descend  from  Heaven,  Urania,  by  that  name 
If  rightly  thou  art  called,  whose  voice  divine 
Following,  above  the  Olympian  hill  I  soar, 
Above  the  flight  of  Pegasean  wing. 
The  meaning,  not  the  name,  I  call ;  for  thou 
Nor  of  the  Muses  nine,  nor  on  the  top 
Of  old  Olympus  dwell'st ;  but,  heavenly  born, 
Before  the  hills  ap]ieared,  or  fountain  floAved, 
Thou  with  eternal  Wisdom  didst  converse, 
Wisdom  thy  sister,  and  Avith  her  didst  play 
In  presence  of  the  almighty  Father,  pleased 
With  thy  celestial  song.     Up  led  by  thee 
Into  the  Heaven  of  Heavens  I  have  presumed, 
An  earthly  guest,  and  drawn  empyreal  air. 
Thy  tempering :  Avith  like  safety  guided  down, 
Return  me  to  my  native  element ; 
Lest  from  this  flying  steed  unreined  (as  once 
Bellerophon,  though  from  a  lower  clime) 
Dismounted,  on  the  Aloian  field  I  fall. 
Erroneous  there  to  wonder,  and  forlorn. 
Half  yet  remains  unsung,  but  narrower  bound 
Within  the  visible  diurnal  sphere  ; 
Standing  on  earth,  not  rapt  above  the  pole. 
More  safe  I  sing  with  mortal  voice,  unchanged 
To  hoarse  or  mute,  though  fallen  on  evil  days, 


PARADISE    LOST. 

On  evil  days  though  fallen,  and  evil  tongues  ; 
In  darkness,  and  Avith  dangers  compassed  round, 
And  solitude;  yet  not  alone,  while  thou 
Visit'st  my  slumbers  nightly,  or  when  morn 
Purples  the  east :  still  govern  thou  my  song, 
Urania,  and  fit  audience  find,  though  few. 
But  drive  far  off  the  barliarous  dissonance 
Of  Bacchus  and  his  revellers,  the  race 
Of  that  wild  rout  that  tore  the  Thracian  bard 
In  Rhodope,  where  woods  and  rocks  had  ears 
To  rapture,  till  the  savage  clamour  drowned 
Both  harp  and  voice  ;  nor  could  the  Muse  defend 
Her  son.     So  fail  not  thou,  who  thee  implores  : 
For  thou  art  heavenly,  she  an  empty  dream. 
Say,  goddess,  what  ensued  when  Raphael, 
The  affable  archangel,  had  forewarned 
Adam  by  dire  example  to  beware 
Apostacy,  by  what  befell  in  Heaven 
To  those  apostates,  lest  the  like  befall 
In  Paradise  to  Adam  or  his  race. 
Charged  not  to  touch  the  interdicted  tree, 
If  they  transgress,  and  slight  that  sole  command, 
So  easily  obeyed  amid  the  choice 
Of  all  the  taste  else  to  please  their  appetite. 
Though  wandering.     He,  with  his  consorted  Eve, 
The  story  heard  attentive,  and  was  filled 
With  admiration  and  deep  muse,  to  hear 
Of  things  so  high  and  strange,  things  to  their  thought 
So  unimaginable  as  hate  in  Heaven, 
And  war  so  near  the  peace  of  God  in  bliss, 
With  such  confusion  ;  but  the  evil,  soon 
Driven  back,  rebounded  as  a  flood  on  those 
From  whom  it  sprung,  impossible  to  mix 
With  blessedness.     Whence  Adam  soon  repealed 
The  doubts  that  in  his  heart  arose  :  and  now 
Led  on,  yet  sinless,  with  desire  to  know 
What  nearer  might  concern  him  ;  how  this  world 
Of  Heaven  and  earth  conspicuous  first  began  ; 
When,  and  whereof  created ;  for  what  cause  ; 
What  within  Eden,  or  without,  was  done 


150 


160  PARADISE   LOST. 

Before  his  memory ;  as  one  whose  drouth 
Yet  scarce  allayed,  still  eyes  the  current  stream, 
Whose  liquid  murmur  heard,  new  thirst  excites, 
Proceeded  tlius  to  ask  his  heavenly  guest : 

"Great  things,  and  full  of  wonder  in  our  ears. 
Far  differing  from  this  world,  tliou  hast  revealed, 
Divine  interjireter,  by  favour  sent 
Down  from  the  emjiyrean  to  forewarn 
Us  timely  of  what  might  else  have  been  our  loss, 
Unknown,  which  human  knowledge  could  not  reach: 
For  which  to  the  infinitely  Good  we  owe 
Immortal  thanks,  and  his  admonishment 
Receive  with  solemn  purpose  to  observe 
Immutably  his  sovereign  will,  the  end 
Of  what  we  are.     But  since  thou  hast  vouchsafed 
Gently  for  our  instruction  to  impart 
Things  above  earthly  thought,  which  yet  concerned 
Our  knowing,  as  to  highest  wisdom  seemed, 
Deign  to  descend  now  lower,  and  relate 
What  may  no  less,  perhaps,  avail  us  known, 
How  first  began  this  Heaven  which  we  behold 
Distant  so  high,  with  moving  fires  adorned 
Innumerable,  and  this  which  yields  or  fills 
All  space,  the  ambient  air  wide  interfused. 
Embracing  round  this  florid  earth  ;  what  cause 
Moved  the  Creator,  in  his  holy  rest 
Through  all  eternity,  so  late  to  build 
In  Chaos ;  and,  the  work  begun,  how  soon 
Absolved  ;  if  unforbid  thou  mayst  unfold 
What  Ave,  not  to  explore  the  secrets  ask 
Of  his  eternal  empire,  but  the  more 
To  magnify  his  works,  the  more  we  know. 
And  the  great  light  of  day  yet  wants  to  run 
Much  of  his  race  though  steep ;  suspense  in  Heaven, 
Held  by  thy  voice,  thy  potent  voice,  he  hears, 
And  longer  will  delay  to  hear  thee  tell 
His  generation,  and  the  rising  birth 
Of  nature  from  the  unapparent  deep  : 
Or  if  the  star  of  evening  and  the  moon 
Haste  to  thy  audience,  night  with  her  will  bring 


PAKADISK    LOST.  161 

Silence,  and  sleep  listening  to  thee  will  watch, 
Or  we  can  bid  his  absence,  till  thy  song 
End,  and  dismiss  thee  ere  the  morning  shine." 

Tims  Adam  his  illustrious  guest  besought; 
And  thus  the  godlike  angel  answered  mitd  : 
"This  also  thy  request,  with  caution  asked, 
Obtain  :  though  to  recount  almighty  works 
What  words  or  tongue  of  serajih  can  suffice, 
Or  lieart  of  man  suffice  to  com])rehend  ? 
Yet  what  thou  canst  attain,  which  best  may  serve 
To  glorify  the  Maker,  and  infer 
Thee  also  happier,  shall  not  be  withheld 
Thy  hearing :  such  commission  from  above 
I  have  received,  to  answer  thy  desire 
Of  knowledge  within  bounds  ;  beyond,  abstain 
To  ask,  nor  let  thine  own  inventions  ljo])e 
Things  not  revealed,  Avhich  the  invisible  King, 
Only  omniscient,  hath  suppressed  in  night. 
To  none  communicable  in  earth  or  Heaven : 
Enough  is  left  besides  to  search  and  know. 
But  knowledge  is  as  food,  and  needs  no  less 
Her  temperance  over  appetite,  to  know 
In  measure  what  tlie  mind  may  well  contain; 
Oppresses  else  with  surfeit,  and  soon  turns 
Wisdom  to  folly,  as  nourishment  to  wind. 

"  Know,  then,  that  after  Lucifer  from  Heaven 
(So  call  him,  brighter  once  amidst  the  host 
Of  angels,  than  that  star  the  stars  among) 
Fell  with  his  flaming  legions  through  th^  deep 
Into  his  place,  and  the  great  Son  returned 
Victorious  with  his  saints,  the  omnipotent 
Eternal  Father  from  his  throne  beheld 
Their  multitude,  and  to  his  Son  thus  spake  : 

"  'At  least  our  envious  foe  hath  failed,  who  thought 
All  like  himself  rebellious,  by  whose  aid 
This  inaccessible  high  strength,  the  seat 
Of  Deity  supreme,  us  dispossessed. 
He  trusted  to  have  seized,  and  into  fraud 
Drew  many,  whom  their  place  knows  here  no  more ; 
Yet  far  the  greater  part  have  kept,  I  see, 

11 


162  PARADISE    LOST. 

Tlieir  station  ;  Heaven  yet  populous  retains 

Number  sufficient  to  possess  her  realms 

Though  wide,  and  this  high  temple  to  frequent 

With  ministries  due  and  solemn  rites: 

But  lest  his  heart  exalt  him  in  the  harm 

Already  done,  to  have  dispeopled  Heaven, 

My  damage  fondly  deemed,  I  can  repair 

That  detriment,  if  such  it  be  to  lose 

Self-lost,  and  in  a  moment  will  create 

Another  world,  out  of  one  man  a  race 

Of  innumerable,  there  to  dwell, 

Not  here,  till  by  degrees  of  merit  raised 

They  open  to  themselves  at  length  the  way 

Up  hither,  under  long  obedience  tried, 

And  earth  be  changed  to  Heaven,  and  Heaven  to  earth, 

One  kingdom,  joy  and  union  without  end. 

Meanwhile  inhabit  lax,  ye  powers  of  Heaven  ; 

And  thou  my  Word,  begotten  Son,  by  thee 

This  I  perform  ;  speak  thou,  and  be  it  done  : 

My  overshadowing  Spirit  and  might  with  thee 

I  send  along ;  ride  forth,  and  bid  the  deep 

Within  appointed  bounds  be  Heaven  and  earth ; 

Boundless  the  deep,  because  I  am  who  fill 

Infinitude,  nor  vacuous  the  space. 

Though  I,  uncircumscribed  myself,  retire. 

And  put  not  forth  my  goodness,  which  is  freo 

To  act  or  not,  necessity  and  chance 

Approach  not  me,  and  what  I  will  is  fate.' 

"  So  spake  the  Almighty,  and  to  what  he  spake 
His  Word,  the  filial  Godhead,  gave  effect. 
Immediate  are  the  acts  of  God,  more  swift 
Than  time  or  motion,  but  to  human  ears 
Cannot  without  process  of  speech  be  told, 
So  told  as  earthly  notion  can  receive. 
Great  triumph  and  rejoicing  was  in  Heaven, 
When  such  was  heard  declared  the  Almighty's  will  J 
Glory  they  sung  to  the  most  High,  good  will 
To  future  men,  and  in  their  dwellings  peace; 
Glory  to  him,  whose  just  avenging  ire 
Had  driven  out  thy  ungodly  from  his  sight, 


PARADISE    LOST.  163 

And  tlie  liabitations  of  tlie  just ;  to  him 

Glory  and  praise,  wliose  wisdom  had  ordained 

Good  out  of  evil  to  create,  instead 

Of  spirits  malign  a  better  race  to  bring 

Into  tlieir  vacant  room,  and  thence  diffuse 

His  good  to  worlds  and  ages  infinite. 

"  So  sang  the  hierarchies  :  meanwhile  the  Son 

On  his  great  expedition  now  ap])eared, 

Girt  with  omnipotence,  with  radiance  crowned 

Of  majesty  divine  ;  sapience  and  love 

Immense,  and  all  his  Father  in  him  shone. 

About  his  chariot  numberless  were  poured 

Cherub  and  seraph,  potentates  and  thrones, 

And  virtues,  winged  spirits,  and  chariots  winged 

From  the  armoury  of  God,  where  stand  of  old 

Myriads  between  two  brazen  mountains  lodg  ed 

Against  a  solemn  day,  harnessed  at  hand, 

Celestial  equipage  ;  and  now  came  forth 

Spontaneous,  for  within  them  spirit  lived, 

Attendant  on  their  Lord  ;  Heaven  oi)ened  wide 

Her  ever-during  gates,  harmonious  sound 

Oil  golden  hinges  moving,  to  let  forth 

The  King  of  Glory,  in  his  jjowerful  Word 

And  Spirit  coming  to  create  new  worlds. 

On  heavenly  ground  they  stood,  and  from  the  shore 

They  viewed  the  vast  immeasurable  abyss 

Outrageous  as  a  sea,  dark,  Avasteful,  wild, 

Up  from  the  bottom  turned  by  fui'ious  winds 

And  surging  waves,  as  mountains,  to  assault 

Heaven's  height,  and  with  the  centre  mix  the  pole. 

" '  Silence,  ye  troubled  waves  !     and  thou  deep,  peace  ! ' 

Said  then  the  omnific  Word  :  '  your  discord  end  1 ' 

Nor  stayed,  but  on  the  wings  of  cherubim 

Uplifted,  in  paternal  glory  rode 

Far  into  Chaos,  and  the  world  unborn  ; 

For  Chaos  heard  his  voice  :  him  all  his  train 

Followed  in  bright  procession,  to  behold 

Creation,  and  the  Avonders  of  his  might. 
-^hen  stayed  the  fervid  wheels,  and  in  his  hand 
[  He  took  the  golden  compasses,  prepared 


1G4  VARADTSE    LOST. 

In  God's  eternal  stove,  to  ciruinscribe 
Tliis  universe,  and  all  created  things : 
One  foot  he  centered,  and  the  other  turned 
Round  through  the  vast  profoundity  obscure, 
And  said  :  '  Thus  far  extend,  thus  far  thy  bounds, 
This  be  thy  just  circumference,  O  workh'j. 
Thus  God  the  Heaven  created,  thus  the  earth, 
Matter  unformed  and  void :  darkness  profound 
Covered  the  abyss  ;  but  on  the  watery  calm 
His  brooding  wings  the  Spirit  of  God  outspi-ead, 
And  vital  virtue  infused,  and  vital  warmth 
Throughout  the  fluid  mass,  but  downward  purged 
Tlie  black  tartarous  cold  infernal  dregs. 
Adverse  to  life :  tlien  founded,  then  conglobed 
Like  things  to  like,  to  several  place 
Disparted,  and  between  spun  out  tlie  air, 
And  earth  self-balanced  on  her  centre  hung. 

*' '  Let  there  be  light ! '  said  God,  and  forthwith  light 
Ethereal,  first  of  things,  quintessence  pure. 
Sprung  from  the  deep,  and  from  her  native  east 
To  journey  through  the  airy  gloom  began, 
S)>hered  in  a  radiant  cloud,  for  yet  the  sun 
Was  not ;  she  in  a  cloudy  tabernacle 
Sojourned  the  while.     God  saw  the  light  was  good  , 
And  light  from  darkness  by  the  hemisphere 
Divided  :  light  the  day,  and  darkness  night 
He  named.     Thus  was  the  first  day  even  and  morn  : 
Nor  passed  uncelebrated,  nor  unsung 
My  the  celestial  quires,  when  orient  light 
Exhaling  first  from  darkness  they  beheld  ; 
Sirth-day  of  Heaven  and  earth;  with  joy  and  shout 
The  hollow  universal  orb  they  filled, 
And  touched  their  golden  harps,  and  liymning  praised 
God  and  his  works  ;  Creator  liira  they  sung, 
Both  when  first  evening  was,  and  Avhen  first  morn. 

"Again,  God  said,  'Let  there  be  firmament 
Amid  the  Avaters,  and  let  it  divide 
The  waters  from  the  waters  !'  and  God  made 
The  firmament,  expanse  of  liquid,  pure, 
Transparent,  elemental  air,  diffused 


PARADISE    LOST.  165 

In  circuit  to  the  uttermost  convex 
Of  this  great  round;  pai'tition  firm  and  sure, 
The  waters  underneath  from  those  above 
Dividing  :  for  as  earth,  so  lie  tlie  world 
Built  on  circumfluous  waters  calm,  in  wide 
Crvstalline  ocean  :  and  the  loud  misrule 
Of  Chaos  far  removed,  lest  fierce  extremes 
Contiguous  might  distemper  the  whole  frame  : 
And  Ileaven  he  named  the  firmament :  so  even 
And  morning  chorus  sung  the  second  day. 

"  The  earth  was  formed,  but  in  the  womb  as  yet 
Of  waters,  embryon  immature  involved. 
Appeared  not :  over  all  the  face  of  earth 
Main  ocean  flowed,  not  idle,  but,  Avith  warm 
Prolific  humor  softening  all  her  globe, 
Fermented  the  great  mother  to  conceive, 
Satiate  with  genial  moisture,  when  God  said, 
'  Be  gathered  now,  ye  waters  under  Heaven, 
Into  one  place,  and  let  dry  land  appear  ! ' 
Immediately  the  mountains  huge  appear 
Emergent,  and  their  broad  bare  backs  upheave 
Into  the  clouds ;  their  tops  ascend  the  sky  : 
So  high  as  heaved  the  tumid  hills,  so  low 
Down  sunk  a  hollow  bottom  broad  and  deep, 
Capacious  bed  of  waters  :  thither  they 
Hasted  with  glad  precipitance,  uprollcd 
As  drops  on  dust  conglobing  from  the  dry; 
Part  rise  in  crystal  Avail,  or  ridge  direct, 
For  haste  ;  such  flight  the  great  command  impressed 
On  the  sAvift  floods  ;  as  armies  at  the  call 
Of  trumpet  (for  of  armies  thou  hast  heard) 
Troop  to  their  standard,  so  the  watery  throng, 
Wave  rolling  after  Avave,  Avhere  Avay  they  found, 
If  steep,  with  torrent  rapture ;  if  through  plain, 
Soft  ebbing ;  nor  Avithstood  them  rock  or  hill. 
But  they,  or  under  ground,  or  circuit  vride 
With  serpei>t  error  Avandering,  found  their  Avay, 
And  on  the  Avashy  ooze  deep  channels  Avore ; 
Easy,  ere  God  had  bid  the  ground  be  dry, 
All  but  within  those  banks,  Avheve  vivers  now 


16t)  PARADISE    LOST. 

Streaiii,  and  perpetual  draw  their  humid  train. 

The  dry  land,  earth,  and  the  great  receptacle 

Of  congregated  waters  he  called  seas : 

And  saV  that  it  was  good,  and  said, '  Let  the  earth 

Put  forth  the  verdant  grass,  herb  yielding  seed, 

And  fruit-tree  yielding  fruit  after  her  kind. 

Whose  seed  is  in  herself  upon  the  earth  ! ' 

He  scarce  had  said,  when  the  bare  earth,  till  then 

Desert  and  bare,  unsightly,  unadorned. 

Brought  forth  the  tender  grass,  whese  verdure  clad 

Her  universal  face  with  pleasant  green  ; 

Then  herbs  of  every  leaf,  that  sudden  flowered 

Opening  their  various  colors,  and  made  gay 

Her  bosom,  smelling  sweet :  and,  these  scarce  blown, 

Forth  flourished  thick  the  clustering  vine,  forth  crept 

The  smelling  gourd,  up  stood  the  corny  reed 

Embattled  in  her  field ;  and  the  humble  shrub, 

And  bush  with  frizzled  hair  implicit ;  last 

Rose  as  in  dance  the  stately  trees,  and  spread 

Their  branches  hung  with  copious  fruit,  or  gemmed 

Their  blossoms  ;  with  high  Avoods  the  hills  were  crowned, 

With  tufts  the  valleys  and  each  fountain  side. 

With  borders  long  the  rivers  ;  that  earth  now 

Seemed  like  to  Heaven,  a  seat  where  gods  might  dwell, 

Or  wander  with  delight,  and  love  to  haunt 

Her  sacred  shades :  though  God  had  yet  not  rained 

Upon  the  earth,  and  man  to  till  the  ground 

None  was,  but  from  the  earth  a  dewy  mist 

Went  up  and  watered  all  the  ground,  and  each 

Plant  of  the  field,  which,  ere  it  was  in  the  earth 

God  made,  and  every  herb,  before  it  grew 

On  the  green  stem  ;  God  saw  that  it  was  good  : 

So  even  and  morn  recorded  the  third  day. 

"  Again  the  Almighty  spake  :  '  Let  there  be  lights 
High  in  the  expanse  of  Heaven,  to  divide 
The  day  from  night ;  and  let  them  be  for  signs, 
For  seasons,  and  "for  days,  and  circling  jears; 
And  let  them  be  for  lights,  as  I  ordain 
Their  office  in  the  firmament  of  Heaven 
To  give  ligb  t  on  the  earth ! '  and  it  was  so. 


PARADISE    LOST.  167 

And  God  made  two  great  lights,  gi-eat  for  their  use 

To  man,  the  greater  to  have  rule  by  day, 

The  less  by  night  altern  ;  and  made  the  stars, 

And  set  tlu^m  in  tlie  fii-mament  of  Heaven 

To  illuminate  the  earth,  and  rule  the  day 

In  their  vicissitude,  and  rule  the  night, 

And  light  from  darkness  to  divide.     God  saw, 

Surveying  his  great  work,  that  it  was  good  : 

For  of  celestial  bodies  first  the  sun 

A  mighty  sphere  he  framed,  unlightsome  first. 

Though  of  ethereal  mould  :  then  formed  the  moon 

Globose,  and  every  magnitude  of  stars, 

And  sowed  with  stars  the  Heaven  thick  as  a  field  : 

Of  light  by  far  the  greater  part  he  took. 

Transplanted  from  her  cloudy  shrine,  and  placed 

In  the  sun's  orb,  made  porous  to  receive 

And  drink  the  liquid  light,  firm  to  retain 

Her  gathered  beams,  great  jjalace  now  of  light. 

Plither,  as  to  their  fountain,  other  stars 

Repairing,  in  their  golden  urns  draw  light. 

And  hence  the  morning  planet  gilds  her  horns ; 

By  tincture  of  reflection  they  augment 

Their  small  peculiar,  though  from  human  sight 

So  far  remote,  with  diminution  seen. 

First  in  his  east  the  glorious  lamp  was  seen, 

Regent  of  day,  and  all  the  horizon  round 

Invested  with  bright  rays,  jocund  to  run 

His  longitude  through  Heaven's  high  road;    the  gra). 

Dawn  and  the  Pleiades  before  him  danced. 

Shedding  sweet  influence  :  less  bright  the  moon, 

But  opposite  in  levelled  west  Avas  set, 

His  mirror,  with  full  face  borrowing  her  light 

From  him,  for  other  light  she  needed  none 

In  that  aspect,  and  still  that  distance  keeps 

Till  night,  then  in  the  east  her  turn  she  shines, 

Revolved  on  Heaven's  great  axle,  and  her  reign 

With  thousand  lesser  liglits  dividual  holds. 

With  thousand  thousand  stars,  that  then  a])peared 

Spangling  the  hemisphere  :  then  first  adorned 

With  their  bright  luminaries  that  set  and  rose, 


168  PARADISE    LOST. 

Glad  evening  and  glad  nxorn  crowned  the  fourth  day. 

"  And  God  said  :  '  Let  the  waters  generate 
Reptile  Avith  spawn  abundant,  living  soul : 
And  let  fowl  fly  above  the  earth,  with  wings 
Displayed  on  the  open  firmament  of  Heaven  !  * 
And  God  created  the  great  whales,  and  each 
Soul  living,  each  that  crept,  which  plenteously 
The  waters  generated  by  their  kinds. 
And  every  bird  of  wing  after  his  kind  ; 
And  saw  that  it  was  good,  and  bless'd  them,  saying : 
'Be  fruitful,  multiply,  and  in  the  seas 
And  lakes,  and  running  streams,  the  waters  fill ; 
And  let  the  fowl  be  multiplied  on  the  earth  ! ' 
PorthAvith  the  sounds  and  seas,  each  creek  and  bay, 
With  fry  innumerable  swarm,  and  shoals 
Of  fish  that  with  their  fins  and  shining  scales 
Glide  under  the  green  wave,  in  sculls  that  oft 
Bank  the  mid  sea ;  part  single,  or  with  mate, 
Graze  the  sea-weed  their  pasture,  and  through  groves 
Of  coral  spray,  or  sporting  -VA'ith  quick  glance 
Show  to  the  sun  their  waved  coats  dro])t  with  gold, 
Or,  in  their  pearly  shells  at  ease,  attend 
Moist  nutriment,  or  under  rocks  their  food 
In  jointed  armour  Avatch ;  on  smooth  the  seal 
And  bended  dolphins  play:  part  huge  of  bulk 
Wallowing  unwieldy,  enormous  in  their  gait, 
Tempest  the  ocean  ;  thei-e  leviathan, 
Hugest  of  living  creatures,  on  the  deep 
Stretched  like  a  promontory,  slee])s  or  swhns, 
And  seems  a  moving  land,  and  at  his  gills 
Draws  in,  and  at  his  trunk  spouts  out,  a  sea. 
Meanwhile  the  te])id  caves,  and  fens,  and  :^hores, 
Their  brood  as  numerous  hatch,  from  the  ogg  that  soon 
Bursting  Avith  kindly  rupture  forth  disclosed 
Their  callow  young ;  but  feathered  soon  and  fledge, 
They  summed  their  pens,  and,  soaring  the  air  sublii 
With  clang  despised  the  ground,  under  a  cloud 
In  prospect ;  there  the  eagle  and  the  stork 
On  cliffs  and  cedar  tops  their  eyries  build  : 
Part  loosely  Aving  the  region,  part  more  Avise 


PARARIRK    l^OST.  169 

In  common,  rnnirecl  in  figure,  wedge  their  way, 

Intelligent  of  seasons,  and  set  forth 

Their  airy  caravan,  high  over  seas 

Flying,  and  over  lands,  with  mutual  wing 

Easing  their  flight;  so  steers  tho  prudent  crane 

Her  annual  voyage,  borne  on  winds  ;  the  air 

Floats,  as  they  ])ass,  fanned  with  unnumbered  plumes: 

From  branch  to  branch  the  smaller  birds  with  song 

Solaced  the  woods,  and  spread  their  painted  wings 

Till  even,  nor  then  the  solemn  nightingale 

Ceased  warbling,  but  all  night  tuned  her  soft  lays ; 

Othei-s  on  silver-lakes  and  rivers  bathed 

Their  downy  breast ;  the  swan  with  arched  neck 

Between  her  white  wings  mantling  proudly,  rows 

Her  state  with  oary  feet;  yet  oft  they  quit 

The  dank,  and,  rising  on  stiff  pennons,  tower 

The  mid  aerial  sky  :  others  on  ground 

Walked  firm  ;  the  crested  cock,  whose  clarion  soimds 

The  silent  hours,  and  the  other  whose  gay  train 

Adorns  him,  coloured  Avith  the  florid  hue 

Of  rainbows  and  starry  eyes.     The  waters  thus 

With  fish  replenished,  and  the  air  with  fowl, 

Evening  and  morn  solemnized  the  fifth  day. 

"  The  sixth,  and  of  creation  last,  arose 
With  evening  harps  and  matin,  when  God  said: 
*  Let  the  earth  bring  forth  soul  living  in  her  kind, 
Cattle,  and  creeping  things,  and  beast  of  the  earth, 
Each  in  their  kind  ! '     The  earth  obeyed,  and  straight 
0])ening  her  fertile  womb,  teemed  at  a  birth 
Innumerous  living  creatures,  2)erfect  forms, 
Limbed  and  full  grown  :  out  of  the  ground  u])  rose, 
As  from  his  lair,  the  wild  beast,  where  he  wons 
In  forest  wild,  in  thicket,  brake,  or  den  ; 
Among  the  trees  in  pairs  they  rose,  they  walked  : 
The  cattle  in  the  fields  and  meadows  green  : 
Those  rare  and  solitary,  these  in  flocks 
Pasturing  at  once,  and  in  broad  herds  upsprung. 
The  grassy  clods  now  calved,  now  half  appeared 
The  tawny  lion,  paAving  to  get  free 
His  hinder  parts,  then  springs  as  broke  from  bonds, 


170  PARADISE    LOST. 

And  rampart  shakes  his  brinded  main  ;  the  ounce, 

The  libbard,  and  the  tiger,  as  the  mole 

Rising,  the  crumbled  earth  above  them  threw 

In  hillocks  :  the  swift  stag  from  underground 

Bore  up  his  branching  head :  scarce  from  his  mould 

Behemoth,  biggest  born  of  earth,  upheaved 

His  vastness  ^fleeced  the  flocks  and  bleating  rose, 

As  plants  :  ambiguous  between  sea  and  land 

The  river-horse  and  scaly  crocodile. 

At  once  came  forth  whatever  creeps  the  ground, 

Insect  or  worm  :  those  waved  their  limber  fans 

For  wings,  and  smallest  lineaments  exact 

In  all  the  liveries  decked  of  summer's  pride 

With  spots  of  gold  and  purple,  azure  and  green ; 

These  as  a  line  their  long  dimension  drew, 

Streaking  the  ground  with  sinuous  trace  ;  not  all 

Minims  of  nature  :  some  of  serpent  kind, 

Wondrous  in  length  and  corpulence,  involved     • 

Their  snaky  folds,  and  added  wings.     First  crept 

The  parsimonious  emmet,  provident 

Of  future,  in  small  room  large  heart  enclosed  j 

Pattern  of  just  equality  perhaps 

Hereafter,  joined  in  her  popular  tribes 

Of  commonalty  :  swarming  next  appeared 

The  female  bee,  that  feeds  her  hasband  drone 

Deliciously,  and  builds  her  waxen  cells 

With  honey  stored  :  the  rest  are  numberless, 

And  thou  their  natures  know'st,  and  gav'st  them  names, 

Needless  to  thee  repeated  ;  nor  unknown 

The  serpent,  subtlest  beast  of  the  field, 

Of  huge  extent  sometimes,  with  brazen  eyes 

And  hairy  mane  terrific,  though  to  thee 

Not  noxious,  but  obedient  at  thy  call.    • 

"  Now  Heaven  in  all  her  glory  shone,  and  rolled 
Her  motions,  as  the  great  first  Mover's  hand 
First  wheeled  their  course ;  earth  in  her  rich  attire 
Consummate  lovely  smiled  ;  air,  Avater,  earth. 
By  fowl,  fish,  beast,  was  flown,  was  swum,  Avas  walked 
Frequent;  and  of  the  sixth  day  yet  remained; 
There  Avanted  yet  the  master-work,  the  end 


PARADISE    LOST.  171 

Of  all  yet  done ;  a  creature  who,  not  prone 
And  brute  as  other  creatures,  but  endued 
With  sanctity  of  reason,  might  erect 
His  stature,  and  upright  witli  front  serene 
Govern  the  rest,  self-knowing ;  and  from  thence 
Mngnanimous  to  correspond  with  Heaven, 
But  grateful  to  acknoAvledge  Avhence  his  good 
Descends  ;  thither  with  heart,  and  voice,  and  eyes 
Directed  in  devotion,  to  adore 
And  worship  God  supreme,  who  made  him  chief 
Of  all  his  works  ;  thei'cfore  the  Omnipotent 
Sternal  Father  (for  where  is  not  he 
Present?)  thus  to  his  Son  audibly  spake: 

"  '  Let  us  make  now  man  in  our  image,  man 
In  our  similitude,  and  let  them  rule 
Over  the  fish  and  fowl  of  sea  and  air. 
Beast  of  the  field,  and  over  all  the  earth. 
And  every  creeping  thing  that  creeps  the  ground.' 
This  said,  he  formed  thee,  Adam  ;  thee,  O  man, 
Dust  of  the  ground,  and  in  thy  nostrils  breathed 
The  breath  of  life  ;  in  his  own  image  he 
Created  thee,  in  the  image  of  God 
Express,  and  thou  becam'st  a  living  soul. 
Male  he  created  thee,  but  thy  consort 
Female,  for  race  ;  then  bless'd  mankind,  and  said  : 
'  Be  fruitful,  multiply,  and  fill  the  earth ; 
Subdue  it,  and  throughout  dominion  hold 
Over  fish  of  the  sea,  and  fowl  of  the  air. 
And  every  living  thing  that  moves  on  the  earth.' 
Wherever  thus  created,  for  no  place 
Is  yet  distinct  by  name,  thence,  as  thou  know'st, 
.He  brought  thee  into  this  delicious  grove, 
This  garden,  planted  with  the  trees  of  God 
Delectable  both  to  behold  and  taste ; 
And  freely  all  their  pleasant  fruit  for  food 
Gave  thee  ;  all  sorts  are  here  that  all  the  earth  yields, 
Variety  without  end  ;  but  of  the  tree 
Which,  tasted,  works  knowledge  of  good  and  e\i\, 
Thou  mayst  not ;  in  the  day  thou  eat'st,  thou  diest : 
Death  ia  the  penalty  imposed  :  beware, 


172  PARADISE    LOST, 

And  govern  well  thy  appetite ;  lest  Sin 
Surj)nse  thee,  and  her  black  attendant  Death. 
"  Here  finished  he,  and  all  that  he  had  made 
Viewed,  and  behold  all  was  entirely  good  ; 
So  even  and  morn  accomplished  the  sixth  day : 
Yet  not  till  the  Creator,  from  his  work 
Desisting,  though  unwearied,  i;p  returned, 
Up  to  the  Heaven  of  Heavens,  his  high  abode, 
Thence  to  behold  this  new-created  world, 
The  addition  of  his  empire,  how  it  showed 
In  prospect  from  his  throne,  how  good,  how  fair, 
Answering  his  great  idea.     Up  he  rode, 
Followed  with  acclamation,  and  the  sound 
Symphonious  of  ten  thousand  harps  that  tuned 
Angelic  harmonies  :  the  earth,  the  air, 
Kcsounded  (thou  rememberest,  for  thou  heard'st), 
The  Heavens  and  all  the  constellations  rung, 
The  planets  in  their  station  listening  stood, 
While  the  bright  pomp  ascended  jubilant. 
'  Open,  ye  everlasting  gates  ! '  they  sung ; 
'  Open,  ye  Heavens,  your  living  doors  ;  let  in 
The  great  Creator  from  his  work  returned 
Magnificent,  his  six  days'  work,  a  world  ; 
Open,  and  henceforth  oft ;  for  God  will  deign 
To  visit  oft  the  dwellings  of  just  men 
Delighted,  and  with  frequent  intercoui-se 
Thither  will  send  his  Avinsjed  messcnrjers 
On  errands  of  supernal  grace.'     So  sung 
The  glorious  train  ascending:  He  through  Heaven, 
That  opened  wide  her  blazing  portals,  led 
To  God's  eternal  house  direct  the  way ; 
A  broad  and  ample  road,  whose  dust  is  gold, 
And  pavement  stars,  as  stars  to  thee  appear, 
Seen  in  the  galaxy,  that  milky  way. 
Which  nightly  as  a  circling  zone  thou  seest 
Powdered  with  stars.      And  now  on  earth  the  seventh 
Evening  arose  in  Eden,  for  the  sun 
Was  set,  and  twilight  from  the  east  came  on, 
Forerunning  niglit  ;    Avhen  at  the  holy  mount 
Of  Heaven's  high-seated  top,  the  imperial  throne 


PARADISK    I,ORT.  173 

Of  Oodliead,  fixed  for  ever  firm  and  sure, 

T\u?  Filial  Power  arrived,  and  sat  him  down 

AVith  his  great  Father  ;  for  he  also  went 

Invisible,  yet  stayed  (such  privilege 

Hath  Omnipresence),  and  tlic  work  ordained,- 

Author  and  end  of  all  things,  and  from  work 

Now  resting,  blessed  and  hallowed  the  seventh  day, 

As  resting  on  that  day  from  all  his  work, 

But  not  in  silence  holy  kept ;  the  harp 

Had  work,  and  rested  not  ;  the  solemn  pipe, 

And  dulcimer,  all  organs  of  sweet  stop. 

All  sounds  on  fret  by  string  or  golden  wire, 

Tempered  soft  tunings,  intermixed  with  voice 

Choral  or  unison  ;  of  incense  clouds, 

Fuming  from  golden  censers,  hid  the  mount. 

Creation  and  the  six  days'  acts  they  sung : 

'  Grcxat  are  thy  works,  Jehovah  !  infinite 

Thy  power !  what  thought  can  measure  thee,  or  tongue 

Relate  thee  ?     Greater  now  in  thy  return 

Than  from  the  giant  angels  :  thee  that  day 

Thy  thunders  magnified  ;  but  to  create 

Is  greater  than  created  to  destroy. 

Who  can  impair  thee,  mighty  King,  or  bound 

Thy  empire?     Easily  the  proud  attempt 

Of  s])irits  apostate  and  their  counsels  vain 

Thou  hast  repelled,  while  im))iously  they  thought 

Thee  to  diminish,  and  from  thee  withdraw 

The  number  of  thy  worshippers.     Who  seeks 

To  lessen  thee,  against  his  purjjose  serves 

To  manifest  the  more  thy  might :  his  evil 

Thou  usest,  and  from  thence  creat'st  more  good. 

Witness  this  mew-made  world,  another  Heaven 

From  Heaven-gate  not  far,  founded  in  view 

On  the  clear  hyaline,  the  glassy  sea  ; 

Of  amplitude  almost  immense,  with  stars 

Numerous,  and  every  star  ])erhaps  a  world 

Of  destined,  habitation  ;  but  thou  know'st 

Their  seasons  :  among  these  the  scat  of  men, 

Earth,  with  her  nether  ocean  circumfused, 

Their  pleasant  dwelling-place.     Thrice  happy  men, 


174  VARADTSK    LOST. 

And  sons  of  men,  whom  God  hath  thus  advanced, 

Created  in  his  image,  there  to  dwell 

And  worship  him,  and  in  reward  to  rule 

Over  his  works,  on  earth,  in  sea,  or  air, 

And  multiply  a  race  of  worshippers 

Holy  and  just ;  thrice  happy  if  they  know 

Their  happiness,  and  persevere  upright ! 

"  So  sung  they,  and  the  empyrean  rung 
With  hallelujahs  :  thus  was  sabbath  kept. 
And  thy  request  think  now  fulfilled,  that  asked 
How  first  this  world  and  face  of  things  began, 
And  what  before  thy  memory  was  done 
From  the  beginning,  that  posterity 
Informed  by  thee  might  know  :  if  else  thou  seek  st 
Aught,  not  surpassing  human  measure,  saj." 


rARADIRIt    LOST.  175 


BOOK  VIII. 


THE  AR6UMKNT. 

Adam  inquires  concerning  celestial  motions,  is  doubtfully  answered, 
and  ex  orted  to  search  rather  things  more  worthy  of  knowledge.  Ad;im 
ai^sents,  and,  still  desirous  to  detain  Raphael,  relates  to  liini  wliat  he  re- 
membered since  liis  own  creation,  his  placing  in  Paiadise,  his  talk  with 
God  concerning  solitude  and  fit  society,  his  first  meeting  and  nuptials 
with  Kve,  liis  discourse  with  the  angel  thereupon,  who,  after  admonitions 
repeated,  departs. 

The  angel  ended,  and  in  Adam's  ear 
So  ebarniing  left  his  voice,  that  he  a  while 
Thought  him  still  speaking,  still  stood  fixed  to  hear; 
Then,  as  new  waked,  thus  gratefully  replied  : 

"  What  thanks  sufficient,  or  what  recompense 
Equal  haA'e  I  to  render  thee,  divine 
Historian,  who  thus  largely  hast  allayed 
The  thirst  I  had  of  knowledge,  and  vouchsafed 
This  friendly  condescension  to  relate 
Things  else  by  me  unsearchable,  now  heard 
With  wonder,  but  delight,  and,  as  is  due, 
With  glory  attributed  to  the  high 
Creator  ?     Something  yet  of  doubt  remains, 
Which  only  thy  solution  can  resolve. 
When  I  behold  this  goodly  frame,  this  world 
Of  Heaven  and  earth  consisting,  and  compute 
Their  magnitudes,  this  earth  a  spot,  a  grain. 
An  atom,  with  the  firmament  compared 
And  all  her  numbered  stars,  that  seem  to  roll 
Spaces  incomprehensible  (for  such 
Their  distance  argues,  and  their  swift  return 
Diurnal),  merely  to  officiate  light 
Round  this  opacous  earth,  this  punctual  spot, 


116  PARADISE    LORY. 

One  day  and  night,  in  all  their  vast  survey 

Useless  besides ;  reasoning  I  oft  admire, 

Plow  nature,  wise  and  frugal,  could  commit 

Such  dis])roportions,  with  superfluous  hand 

So  many  nobler  bodies  to  create. 

Greater  so  manifold,  to  this  one  use. 

For  aught  appears,  and  on  their  orbs  impose 

Such  restless  revolution  day  by  day 

Repeated  ;  while  the  sedentary  earth. 

That  better  might  with  far  less  compass  move. 

Served  by  more  noble  than  herself,  attains 

Her  end  without  least  motion,  and  receives, 

As  tribute,  such  a  sumless  journey  brought 

Of  incor])oreal  speed,  her  warmth  and  lisxht; 

Speed,  to  describe  whose  swiftness  number  fails." 

So  spake  our  sire,  and  by  his  countenance  seemed 
Entering  on  studious  thoughts  abstruse,  which  Eve 
Perceiving,  where  she  sat  retired  in  sight, 
With  lowliness  majestic  from  her  seat. 
And  grace  that  Avon  who  saw  to  Mish  her  stay. 
Rose,  and  wentforth  among  her  fruits  and  flowers, 
To  visit  how  they  prospered,  bud  and  bloom, 
Her  nursery ;  they  at  her  coming  s])rung, 
And,  touched  by  her  fair  tendance,  gladlier  grew, 
Yet  went  she  not,  as  not  with  such  discourse 
Delighted,  or  not  capable  her  ear 
Of  what  was  high  ;  such  ]ileasurc  she  reserved, 
Adam  relating,  she  sole  auditrcss  : 
Her  husband  the  relater  she  preferred 
Before  the  angel,  and  of  him  to  ask 
Chose  rather  :  he,  she  knew,  would  intermix 
Grateful  digressions,  and  solve  liigh  dis])ute 
With  conjugal  caresses  ;  from  his  lip 
Not  words  alone  pleased  her.     Oh  !  when  meet  now 
Such  pairs,  in  love  and  mutual  honour  joined  ? 
With  goddess-like  demeanour  forth  she  wen* 
Not  unattended,  for  on  her  as  queen 
A  pomp  of  winning  graces  waited  still, 
And  from  about  her  shot  darts  of  desire 
Into  all  eyes  to  wish  her  still  in  sight. 


PAkADlSE    LOST.  17V 

Ati'l  Raphael  now,  to  vVdani's  doubt  proposed, 
Beiu'voleut  and  facile  thus  replied  : 

"  To  ask  or  search  I  blame  thee  not,  for  Heaven 
Is  as  the  book  of  God  before  tliee  set, 
Wherein  to  read  his  wondrous  works,  and  learn 
His  seasons,  hours,  or  days,  or  months,  or  years  : 
This  to  attain,  whether  Heaven  move  or  earth 
Im})orts  not,  if  thou  reckon  right ;  the  rest 
From  man  or  angel  the  great  Architect 
Did  wisely  to  conceal,  and  not  divulge 
His  secrets  to  be  scanned  by  them  who  ought 
Kather  admire  ;  or  if  they  list  to  try 
Conjecture,  he  his  fabric  of  the  Heavens 
Hath  left  to  their  disputes,  perhaps  to  move 
His  laughter  at  their  quaint  opinions  wide 
Hereafter,  when  they  come  to  model  Heaven 
And  calculate  the  stars,  how  they  will  wield 
The  miglity  frame ;  how  build,  unbuild,  contrive 
To  save  a])pearances  ;  how  gird  the  sjjhere 
With  centric  and  eccentric  scribbled  o'er, 
I'ycle  and  e])icycle,  orb  in  orb  : 
Already  by  thy  reasoning  this  I  guess. 
Who  art  to  lead  thy  offspring,  and  supposest 
That  bodies  bright  and  greater  should  not  serve 
The  less  not  bi-iglit,  nor  Heaven  such  journeys  run, 
Earth  sitting  still,  when  she  alone  receives 
The  benefit.     Consider  first,  that  gi-eat 
Or  bright  infers  not  excellence  :  the  earth 
Though,  in  comparison  of  Heaven,  so  small, 
Nor  glistering,  may  of  solid  good  contain 
More  plenty  than  the  sun  that  barren  shines, 
Whose  virtue  on  itself  works  no  effect. 
But  in  the  fruitful  earth  ;  there  first  received, 
His  beams,  unactive  else,  their  vigoui-  find. 
Yet  not  to  earth  are  those  bright  luminaries 
Ofticious,  but  to  thee,  earth's  habitant. 
And  for  the  Heaven's  wicte  circuit,  let  it  speak 
The  Maker's  high  magnificence,  who  built 
So  spacious,  and  his  line  stretched  out  so  far  j 
That  man  may  know  he  dwells  in  his  own ; 

12 


178  PARADISE    LOST. 

An  Cilifice  too  large  for  him  to  fill, 

Lodged  in  a  small  partition,  and  the  rest 

Ordained  for  uses  to  his  Lord  best  known. 

The  swiftness  of  those  circles  attiibute, 

Though  numberless,  to  his  omnipotence, 

That  to  corporeal  substance  could  add 

Speed  almost  spiritual :  me  thou  think'st  not  slow, 

Who  since  the  morning  hour  set  out  from  Heav'n, 

Where  God  resides,  and  ere  mid-day  arrived 

In  Eden,  distance  inexpressible 

By  numbers  that  have  name.     But  this  I  urge, 

Admitting  motion  in  the  Heavens,  to  show 

Invalid  tliat  which  thee  to  doubt  it  moved ; 

Not  that  I  so  affirm,  though  so  it  seem 

To  thee  Avho  hast  thy  dwelling  here  on  earth. 

God,  to  remove  his  ways  from  human  sense, 

Placed  Heaven  from  earth  so  far,  that  earthly  sight, 

If  it  presume,  might  err  in  things  too  high, 

And  no  advantage  gain.     What  if  the  sun 

Be  centre  to  the  world,  and  other  stars, 

By  his  attractive  virtue  and  their  own 

Incited,  dance  about  him  various  rounds  ? 

Their  wandering  course  now  high,  now  low,  then  hid. 

Progressive,  retrograde,  or  standing  still, 

In  six  thou  seest;  and  what  if  seventh  to  these 

The  planet  earth,  so  steadfast  though  she  seem. 

Insensibly  three  different  motions  move  ? 

Which  else  to  several  spheres  thou  must  ascribe. 

Moved  contrary  with  thwart  obliquities, 

Or  save  the  sun  his  labour,  and  that  swift 

Nocturnal  and  diurnal  rhomb  supposed 

Invisible  else,  above  all  stars,  the  wheel 

Of  day  and  night ;  which  needs  not  thy  belief 

If  earth  industrious  of  herself  fetch  day 

Tra^■elling  east,  and  with  her  part  averse 

Fi'om  the  sun's  beam  meet  night,  her  other  part 

Still  luminous  by  his  ray.     What  if  that  light. 

Sent  from  her  through  the  wide  transpicuous  air. 

To  the  terrestrial  moon  be  as  a  star 

Enlightening  her  by  day,  as  she  by  night 


PARADISE    LOST.  170 

This  earth?  reciprocal,  if  land  be  there, 

Fields  and  inhabitants  :  her  spots  thou  seest 

As  clouds,  and  clouds  may  rain,  and  rain  produce 

Fruits  in  her  softened  soil,  for  some  to  eat 

Allotted  there  ;  and  other  suns,  perhaps, 

Witli  their  attendant  moons  thou  wilt  descry, 

Communicating  male  and  female  light, 

Whicli  two  great  sexes  animate  the  world. 

Stored  in  each  orb,  perhaps,  with  some  that  live. 

For  such  vast  room  in  nature  unpossessed 

By  living  soul,  desert  and  desolate, 

Only  to  shine,  yet  scarce  to  contribute 

Eacli  orb  ix  glimpse  of  light,  conveyed  so  far 

Down  to  this  habitable,  which  returns 

Light  back  to  them,  is  obvious  to  dispute. 

But  whether  thus  these  things,  or  whether  not ; 

Wliether  the  sun  predominant  in  Heaven 

Rise  on  the  earth,  or  earth  rise  on  the  sun ; 

He  from  the  east  his  flaming  road  begin, 

Or  she  from  west  her  silent  course  advance 

With  inoffensive  pace  that  sj^inning  sleeps 

On  her  soft  axle,  while  she  paces  even. 

And  bears  thee  soft  with  the  smooth  air  along; 

Solicit  not  thy  thoughts  with  matters  hid ; 

Leave  them  to  God  above,  him  serve  and  fear : 

Of  other  creatures,  as  him  pleases  best, 

Wherever  placed,  let  him  dispose  :  joy  thou 

1)1  what  he  gives  to  thee,  this  Paradise 

And  thy  fair  Eve  ;  Heaven  is  for  thee  too  high 

To  know  what  passes  there  ;  be  lowly  Avise  : 

Think  only  what  concerns  thee  and  thy  being ; 

Dream  not  of  other  worlds,  what  creatures  there 

Live,  in  what  state,  condition,  or  degree, 

Contented  that  thns  far  hath  been  revealed 

Not  of  earth  only,  but  of  highest  Heaven. 

To  whom  thus  Adam,  cleared  of  doubt,  replied : 
"  How  fully  hast  thou  satisfied  me,  pure 
Intelligence  of  Heaven,  angel  serene ! 
And,  freed  from  intricacies,  taught  to  live 
The  easiest  way,  nor  with  perplexing  thoughts 


18C  PARADISE    LOST. 

To  interrupt  tlic  sweet  of  life,  from  which 

God  liath  bid  dwell  far  off  all  anxious  cares, 

And  not  molest  us,  unless  we  ourselves 

Seek  them  with  waiidering  thoughts,  and  notions  vain. 

But  apt  the  mind  or  fancy  is  to  rove 

Unchecked,  and  of  her  roving  is  no  end  ; 

Till  warned,  or  by  experience  taught,  she  learn, 

That  not  to  know  at  large  of  things  remote 

From  use,  obscure  and  subtle,  but  to  know 

That  which  before  us  lies  in  daily  life. 

Is  the  prime  wisdom  ;  what  is  more,  is  fume 

Or  emptiness,  or  fond  impertinence, 

And  renders  us  in  things  that  most  concera 

Unpractised,  unprepared,  and  still  to  seek. 

Therefore  from  this  high  pitch  let  us  descend 

A  lower  flight,  and  speak  of  things  at  hand 

Useful,  whence  haply  mention  may  arise 

Of  something  not  unseasonable  to  ask 

By  sufferance,  and  thy  wonted  favour  deigned. 

Thee  I  have  heard  relating  what  was  done 

Ere  my  remembrance  :  now  hear  me  relate 

My  story,  which  perhaps  thou  hast  not  heard ; 

And  day  is  yet  not  spent ;  till  then  thou  seest 

How  subtly  to  detain  thee  I  devise, 

Inviting  thee  to  hear  while  I  relate, 

Fond,  were  it  not  in  hope  of  thy  reply  : 

For  while  I  sit  with  thee,  I  seem  in  Heaven, 

And  sweeter  thy  discourse  is  to  my  ear 

Than  fruits  of  palm-tree  pleasantest  to  thirst 

And  hunger  both,  from  labour,  at  the  hour 

Of  sweet  repast :  they  satiate,  and  soon  fill, 

Though  pleasant ;  but  thy  words,  with  grace  divine 

Imbued,  bi*ing  to  their  sweetness  no  satiety." 

To  Avhom  thus  Raphael  answered  heavenly  meek : 
"  Nor  are  thy  lips  ungraceful,  sire  of  men, 
Nor  tongue  ineloquent  ;  for  God  on  thee 
Abundantly  his  gifts  hath  also  poured 
Inward  and  outward  both,  his  image  fair ; 
Speaking  or  mute  all  comeliness  and  grace 
Attends  thee,  and  each  word,  each  motion  forms  j 


PARADISE    LOST.  18J 

t 

Nor  leas  tliink  we  in  Heaven  of  llice  on  fearth 

Tlmn  of  our  fellow-servant,  and  inquire 

Gladly  into  the  Avays  of  God  "with  man  : 

For  God  we  see  hath  honoured  thee,  and  set 

On  man  liis  equal  love ;  say  tlierefore  on, 

For  I  that  day  was  absent,  as  hefell. 

Bound  on  a  voyage  uncoiTtii  and  obscure, 

Far  on  excursion  toward  the  gates  of  Hell ; 

Squared  in  full  legion  (such  command  we  had) 

To  see  that  none  thence  issued  forth  a  spy, 

Or  enemy,  while  God  was  in  his  work ; 

Lest  he,  incensed  at  such  ei-uption  bold. 

Destruction  with  creation  might  have  mixed. 

Not  that  they  durst  witliout  his  leave  attempt, 

But  us  he  sends  upon  his  high  behests 

For  state,  as  sovran  King,  and  to  inu)-e 

Our  promj^t  obedience.     Fast  we  found,  fast  shut 

The  dismal  gates,  and  barricadoed  strong  ; 

But  long  ere  our  approaching  heard  within 

Noise,  other  than  the  sound  of  dance  or  song, 

Torment,  and  loud  lament,  and  furious  rage. 

Glad  we  returned  up  to  the  coasts  of  light 

Ere  sabbath  evening:  so  we  had  in  charge. 

But  thy  relation  now  ;  for  I  attend. 

Pleased  with  thy  words  no  less  than  thou  with  mine." 

So  spake  the  godlike  power,  and  thus  our  sire: 
"  For  man  to  tell  how  human  life  began 
Is  hard;  for  who  himself  beginning  knew? 
Desire  wnth  thee  still  longer  to  converse 
Induced  me.     As  new  Avaked  from  soundest  sleep, 
Soft  on  the  flowery  herb  I  found  me  laid 
In  bamly  SAveat,  Avhich  Avith  his  beams  the  sun 
Soon  dried,  and  on  the  reeking  moisture  fed. 
Straight  tOAvard  IleaAcn  my  Avondcring  eyes  I  turned, 
And  gazed  a  Avhile  the  ample  sky ;  till,  raised 
By  quick  instinctive  motion,  up  I  sprung, 
As  thitherward  endeavouring,  and  upi-ight 
Stood  on  my  feet ;  about  me  round  I  saAV 
Hill,  dale,  and  shady  Avoods,  and  sunny  plains. 
And  liquid  lapse  of  murmuring  streams;  by  these 


182  PARADISE    LOST. 

* 

Creatures  that  liVed,  and  moved,  and  walked,  or  flew, 

Birds  on  the  branches  warbling;  all  things  smiled ; 

With  fragrance  and  with  joy  my  heart  o'erllowed. 

Myself  I  then  perused,  and  limb  by  limb 

Surveyed,  and  sometimes  went,  and  sometimes  ran 

With  supple  joints,  as  lively  vigour  led  : 

But  who  I  was,  or  where,  or  frotn  what  cause. 

Knew  not ;  to  speak  I  tried,  and  forthwith  spake; 

My  tongue  obeyed,  and  readily  could  name 

Whate'er  I  saw.     '  Thou  sun,'  said  I,  '  fair  light, 

And  thou  enlightened  earth,  so  fresh  and  gay. 

Ye  hills  and  dales,  ye  rivers,  woods,  and  plains. 

And  ye  that  live  and  move,  fair  creatures,  tell, 

Tell,  if  ye  saw,  how  came  I  thus,  how  here? 

Not  of  myself ;  by  some  great  Maker,  then, 

In  goodness  and  in  power  pre-eminent ; 

Tell  me,  how  may  I  know  him,  how  adore, 

From  whom  I  have  that  thus  I  move  and  live, 

And  feel  that  I  am  happier  than  I  know  ? ' 

While  thus  I  called,  and  strayed  I  knew  not  whitlier. 

From  where  I  first  drew  air,  and  first  belield 

This  happy  light,  when  answer  none  returned, 

On  a  green  shady  bank,  profuse  of  flowers. 

Pensive  I  sat  me  down  ;  there  gentle  sleep 

First  found  me,  and  with  soft  oppression  seized 

My  drowsied  sense,  untroubled,  though  I  thought 

I  then  was  passing  to  my  former  state 

Insensible,  and  forthwith  to  dissolve  : 

When  suddenly  stood  at  my  head  a  dream, 

Whose  inward  apparition  gently  moved 

My  fancy  to  believe  I  yet  had  being. 

And  lived  :  One  came,  methought,  of  shape  divine. 

And  said,  '  Thy  mansion  wants  thee,  Adam ;  rise. 

First  man,  of  men  innumerable  ordained 

First  father  !  called  by  thee,  I  come  thy  guide 

To  the  garden  of  bliss,  thy  seat  prepared.' 

So  saying,  by  the  liand  he  took  me  raised. 

And  over  fields  and  waters,  as  in  air 

Smooth  sliding  without  step,  last  led  me  up 

A  woody  mountain,  whose  high  top  was  plain, 


PARADISE    LOST.  183 

A  circuit  wide,  enclosed,  with  goodliest  trees 

Planted,  with  Avalks,  and  bowers,  that  what  I  saw 

Of  earth  before  scarce  pleasant  seemed.     Each  tree 

Loaden  with  fairest  fruit,  that  hung  to  the  eye 

Tempting,  stirred  in  me  sudden  apj^etite 

To  pluck  and  eat ;  whereat  I  waked,  and  found 

Before  mine  eyes  all  real,  as  the  dream 

Had  lively  shadowed  :  here  had  new  begun 

My  wandering,  had  not  he  Avho  was  my  guide 

Up  hither,  from  among  the  trees  appeared, 

Presence  divine.     Rejoicing,  but  with  awe, 

In  adoration  at  his  feet  I  fell 

Submiss  :  he  reared  me,  and  'Whom  thou  sought'st  I  am, 

Said  mildly,  '  Author  of  all  this  thou  seest 

Above,  or  round  about  thee,  or  beneath. 

This  Paradise  I  give  thee  ;  count  it  thine 

To  till  and  keep,  and  of  the  fruit  to  eat  : 

Of  every  tree  that  in  the  garden  grows 

Eat  freely  with  glad  heart :  fear  here  no  dearth  : 

But  of  the  tree  whose  operation  brings 

Knowledge  of  good  and  ill,  which  I  have  set 

The  pledge  of  thy  obediemce  and  thy  faith, 

Amid  the  garden  by  the  tree  of  life. 

Remember  what  I  warn  tliee,  shun  to  taste, 

And  shun  the  bitter  consequence;  for  know, 

The  day  thou  eat'st  thereof,  my  sole  command 

Transgressed,  inevitably  thou  shalt  die. 

From  that  day  mortal;  and  this  liappy  state 

Shalt  lose,  expelled  from  hence  into  a  world 

Of  woe  and  sorrow.'     Sternly  liC  pronounced 

The  rigid  interdiction,  which  resounds 

Yet  dreadful  in  mine  ear,  though  in  my  choice 

Not  to  incur ;  but  soon  his  clear  aspect 

Returned,  and  gracious  jnirpose  thus  renewed : 

'  Not  only  these  fair  bounds,  but  all  the  earth, 

To  thee  and  to  thy  race  I  give  ;  as  lords 

Possess  it,  and  all  things  that  therein  live, 

Or  live  in  sea,  or  air,  beast,  fish,  and  fowl. 

In  sign  whereof  each  bird  and  beast  behold 

After  their  kinds.     I  bring  them  to  receive 


184  I'ARADttSE    lOST. 

From  tlice  their  names,  and  pay  thee  fealty 
With  low  subjection  :  nnderstand  tlie  same 
Of  fish  Avithin  tlieir  watery  residencie, 
Not  hitlier  summoned,  since  tliey  cannot  change 
Their  element  to  draw  the  thinner  air.' 

"  As  thus  he  spake,  each  bird  and  beast  behold 
Approaching  two  and  two  ;  these  cowering  low 
With  blandishment;  each  bird  stopped  on  his  wing. 
I  named  them,  as  they  passed,  and  understood 
Their  nature,  with  such  knowledge  God  endued 
My  sudden  a]>prehension  :  biit  in  these 
I  found  not  what  methought  I  wanted  still ; 
And  to  the  heavenly  vision  thus  presumed  : 

"  '  O  by  what  name,  for  thou  above  all  these, 
Above  mankind,  or  aught  than  mankind  higher, 
Surpassest  far  my  naming  ;  how  may  I 
Adore  thee,  Author  of  this  universe, 
And  all  this  good  to  man  ?  for  whose  well  being 
So  amply,  and  with  hands  so  liberal, 
Thou  hast  provided  all  things :  but  with  me 
I  see  not  who  partakes.     In  solitude 
What  happiness  ?  who  can  enjoy  this  alone, 
Or  all  enjoying,  what  contentment  find?' 
Thus  I  presumptuous  ;  and  the  Vision  bright, 
As  with  a  smile  more  brightened,  thus  replied  : 

"  'What  call'st  thou  solitude  ?     Is  not  the  earth 
With  various  living  creatures,  and  the  air, 
Replenished,  and  all  these  at  thy  command 
To  come  and  play  before  thee  ?     Know'st  thou  not 
Their  language  and  their  ways  ?     They  also  know, 
And  reason  not  contemptibly  :  with  these 
Find  pastime,  and  bear  rule  ;  thy  realm  is  large.' 
So  spake  the  universal  Lord,  and  seemed 
So  ordering.     I,  witli  leave  of  speech  implored 
And  humble  deprecation,  thus  replied  : 

"  '  Let  not  my  words  offend  thee,  heavenly  Power, 
My  Maker,  be  ])ropitious  while  I  speak. 
Hast  thou  not  made  me  here  thy  substitute, 
And  these  inferior  far  beneath  me  set  ? 
Among  unequals  what  society 


rAKADISE    I.O.ST.  J  ^5 

Can  sort,  whnt  harmony  or  true  delight? 
Which  must  be  mutual,  in  proportion  clue 
Given  and  received  ;  but  in  disparity 
The  one  intense,  the  other  still  remiss, 
Cannot  avcU  suit  with  either,  but  soon  prove 
Tedious  alike.     Of  fellowship  I  speak, 
Such  as  I  seek,  fit  to  particijiate 
All  rational  delight,  wherein  the  brute 
Cannot  be  human  consort :  they  rejoice 
Each  Avith  their  kind,  lion  Avith  lioness; 
So  fitly  them  in  pairs  thou  hast  combined  : 
Much  less  can  bird  Avith  beast,  or  fish  with  fowl, 
So  well  conA-erse  ;  nor  AA'ith  the  ox  the  a]>e  ; 
Worse  then  can  man  Avith  beast,  and  least  of  all.' 

"  Whereto  the  Almighty  ansAvercd,  not  displeased  : 
'A  nice  and  subtle  happiness,  I  see. 
Thou  to  thyself  proposest,  in  the  choice 
Of  thy  associates,  Adam,  and  Avilt  taste 
No  pleasure,  though  in  pleasure,  solitary. 
What  think'st  thou  then  of  me,  and  this  my  state  ? 
Seem  I  to  thee  sufficiently  possessed 
Of  happiness,  or  not  ?  who  am  alone 
From  all  eternity  ;  for  none  I  knoAv 
Second  to  me,  or  like,  equal  much  less. 
How  haA'e  I,  then,  Avith  Avhora  to  hold  converse 
Save  Avith  the  creatures  Avhich  Iniiade,  and  those 
To  me  inferior,  infinite  descents 
Beneath  Avhat  other  creatures  are  to  thee?' 

"  lie  ceased  :  I  loAvly  ansAvered  :  '  To  attain 
The  height  and  depth  of  thy  eternal  Avays 
All  human  thoughts  come  short,  Supreme  of  things  I 
Thou  in  thyself  art  perfect,  and  in  thee 
Is  no  deficience  found  ;  not  so  is  man, 
But  in  degree;  the  cause  of  his  desire 
By  conA'ersation  Avith  his  like  to  help, 
Or  solace  his  defects.     No  need  that  thou 
Shouldst  propagate,  already  infinite. 
And  through  all  numbers  absolute,  though  one; 
But  man  by  number  is  to  manifest 
His  single  imperfection,  and  beget 


186  PARADISE    LOST. 

Like  of  his  like,  image  multiplieol, 

In  unity  defective,  which  requires 

Collateral  love,  and  dearest  amity. 

Thou  in  thy  secresy  although  alone, 

Best  Avith  thyself  accompanied,  seek'st  not 

Social  communication,  yet  so  pleased 

Canst  raise  thy  creature  to  Avhat  height  thou  wilt 

Of  union  or  communion,  deified  : 

I  by  conversing  cannot  these  erect 

From  prone,  nor  in  their  ways  complacence  find.' 

Thus  I  emboldened  spake,  and  freedom  used 

Permissive,  and  acceptance  found,  Avhich  gained 

This  answer  from  the  gracious  voice  divine : 

"  '  Thus  far  to  try  thee,  Adam,  I  was  pleased, 
And  find  thee  knowing  not  of  beasts  alone, 
Which  thou  hast  rightly  named  ;  but  of  thyself, 
Expressing  well  the  spirit  Avithin  thee  free, 
My  image,  not  imparted  to  the  brute  : 
Whose  fellowship  therefore,  unmeet  for  thee. 
Good  reason  was  thou  freely  shouldst  dislike, 
And  be  so  minded  still :  I,  ere  thou  spak'st. 
Knew  it  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone, 
And  no  such  company  as  then  thou  sawest 
Intended  thee,  for  trial  only  brought. 
To  see  how  thou  couldst  judge  of  fit  and  meet : 
What  next  I  bring  shall  please  thee,  be  assured, 
Thy  likeness,  thy  fit  help,  thy  other  self. 
Thy  wish  exactly  to  thy  heart's  desire.' 

"  He  ended,  or  I  heard  no  more,  for  now 
My  earthly  by  his  heavenly  overpowered, 
Which  it  had  long  stood  under,  strained  to  the  height 
In  that  celestial  colloquy  sublime. 
As  with  an  object  that  excels  the  sense 
Dazzled  and  spent,  sunk  down,  and  sought  repair 
Of  sleep,  which  instantly  fell  on  me,  called 
By  nature  as  in  aid,  and  closed  mine  eyes. 
Mine  eyes  he  closed,  but  open  left  the  cell 
Of  fancy,  my  internal  sight,  by  which 
Abstract  as  in  a  trance  methought  I  saw. 
Though  sleeping,  where  I  lay,  and  saw  the  shape 


PARADISE    LOST. 


187 


Still  glorious  before  whom  awake  I  stood  ; 
Who,  stooping,  opened  my  left  side,' and  took 
From  thence  a  rib,  with  cordial  spirits  warm. 
And  life-blood  streaming  fresh  :  wide  was  the  wound, 
But  suddenly  Avith  flesh  filled  up  and  healed  : 
The  rib  he  formed  and  fashioned  with  his  hands; 
Under  his  forming  hands  a  creature  grew, 
Manlike,  but  different  sex,  so  lovely  fair, 
That  what  seemed  fair  in  all  the  world,  seemed  now- 
Mean  ;  or  in  her  summed  up,  in  her  contained, 
And  in  her  looks,  which  from  that  time  infused 
Sweetness  into  my  heart,  unfelt  before, 
And  into  all  things  from  her  air  inspired 
The  spirit  of  love  and  amorous  delight. 
She  disappeared,  and  left  me  dark  ;  I  waked 
To  find  her,  or  for  ever  to  deplore 
Her  loss,  and  other  pleasures  all  abjure. 
When  out  of  hope,  behold  her,  not  far  off. 
Such  as  I  saw  her  in  my  dream,  adorned 
With  what  all  earth  or  Heaven  could  bestow 
To  make  her  amiable.     On  she  came. 
Led  bv  her  heavenly  Maker,  though  unseen, 
And  guided  by  his  voice,  nor  uninformed 
Of  nuptial  sanctity  and  marriage  rites  : 
Grace  was  in  all  her  steps,  Heaven  in  her  eye, 
In  every  gesture  dignity  and  love. 
I,  overjoyed,  could  not  forbear  aloud : 

"  '  This  turn  hath  made  amends  :  thou  hast  fulfilled 
Thy  words,  Creator  bounteous  and  benign, 
Giver  of  all  things  fair  !  but  fairest  this 
Of  all  thy  gifts !  nor  enviest.     I  now  see 
Bone  of  my  bone,  flesh  of  my  flesh,  myself 
Before  me  :  woman  is  her  name,  of  man 
Extracted  ;  for  this  cause  he  shall  forego 
Father  and  mother,  and  to  his  wife  adhere  ; 
And  they  shall  be  one  flesh,  one  heart,  one  soul.' 

"  She  heard  me  thus,  and  though  divinely  brought, 
Yet  innocence  and  virgin  modesty. 
Her  virtue  and  the  conscience  of  her  worth. 
That  would  be  wooed,  and  not  unsought  be  wou, 


188  PARADISE    LOST. 

Not  obvious,  not  obtrusive,  but  retired, 
The  more  desinable  ;  or,  to  say  all, 
Nature  herself,  though  pure  of  sinful  thought, 
Wrought  in  her  so,  that  seeing  me  she  turned  : 
I  followed  her ;  she  what  was  honour  knew, 
And  with  obsequious  majesty  ai)proved 
My  pleaded  reason.     To  the  nuptial  bower 
I  led  her  blushing  like  the  morn  :  all  Heaven 
And  happy  constellations  on  that  hour 
Shed  their  sclectest  influence  ;  the  earth 
Gave  signs  of  gratulation,  and  each  hill ; 
Joyous  the  birds  ;  fresh  gales  and  gentle  airs 
Whispered  it  to  thcAvoods,  and  from  their  wings 
Flung  rose,  flung  odours  from  the  spicy  shrub, 
Disporting,  till  the  amorous  bird  of  night 
Sung  spousal,  and  bid  haste  the  evening  star 
On  his  hill  top,  to  light  the  bridal  lamp. 

"  Thus  haA'e  I  told  thee  all  my  state,  and  brought 
jMy  story  to  the  sura  of  earthly  bliss 
Which  T  enjoy,  and  must  confess  to  find 
In  all  things  else  delight  indeed,  but  such 
As,  used  or  not,  works  in  the  mind  no  change. 
Nor  vehement  desire  :  these  delicacies 
I  mean  of  taste,  sight,  smell,  herbs,  fruits  and  flowers, 
Walks,  and  the  melody  of  birds ;  but  here 
Far  otherwise  :  transported  I  behold, 
Transported  touch  ;  here  passion  first  I  felt. 
Commotion  strange,  in  all  enjoyments  else 
Superior  and  unmoved,  here  only  weak 
Against  the  charm  of  beauty's  powerful  glance. 
Or  nature  failed  in  me,  and  left  some  part 
Not  proof  enough  such  object  to  sustain  ; 
Or,  from  ray  side  subducting,  took  perhaps 
More  than  enough  ;  at  least,  on  her  bestowed 
Too  much  of  ornament,  in  outward  show 
Elaborate,  of  inward  less  exact. 
For  well  I  understand  in  the  prime  end 
Of  nature  her  the  inferior,  in  the  mind 
And  inward  faculties,  which  most  excel, 
In  outward  also  her  resembling  less 


PARADISE    LOST.  18S 

llis  image  who  made  both,  and  less  expressing 
Tlic  character  of  that  dominion  given 
O'er  other  creatures;  yet  wlion  I  approach 
Her  loveliness,  so  absolute  she  seems. 
And  in  lierself  (iomplete,  so  well  to  know 
Her  own,  that  what  she  wills  to  do  or  say- 
Seems  wisest,  virtuonsest,  discreetest,  best; 
All  higher  knowledge  in  her  presence  falls 
Degraded  ;  wisdom  in  discourse  with  her 
Loses  discountenanced,  and  like  folly  shows; 
Authority  and  i-eason  on  her  wait, 
As  one  intended  first,  not  after  made 
Occasionally ;  and,  to  consummate  all, 
Greatness  of  mind  and  nobleness  their  seat 
Build  in  her  loveliest,  and  create  an  awe 
About  her,  as  a  guard  angelic  })laced." 

To  whom  the  angel,  with  contracted  brow : 
"Accuse  not  nature,  she  hath  done  her  part; 
Do  thou  but  thine,  and  be  not  diffident 
Of  wisdom  ;  she  deserts  thee  not,  if  thou 
Dismiss  not  hei-,  when  most  thou  need'st  her  nigh, 
By  attributing  overmuch  to  things 
Less  excellent,  as  thou  thyself  perceiv'st. 
For  what  admir'st  thou,  what  transports  thee  so? 
An  outside?  fair,  no  doubt,  and  worthy  well 
Thy  cherishing,  thy  honouring,  and  thy  love, 
Not  thy  subjection  :  weigh  with  her  thyself ; 
Then  value  :  oft-times  nothing  ])rofits  more 
Than  self-esteem,  grounded  on  just  and  right 
Well  managed  ;  of  that  skill  the  more  thou  know'st, 
The  more  she  will  acknowledge  thee  her  head, 
And  to  realities  yield  all  her  shows : 
Made  so  adorn  for  thy  delight  the  more, 
So  awful,  that  Avitli  honour  thou  mayst  love. 
Thy  mate,  who  sees  when  thou  art  seen  least  wise. 
But  if  the  sense  of  touch  whereby  mankind 
Is  propagated  seem  such  dear  delight 
Beyond  all  other,  think  the  same  vouchsafed 
To  cattle  and  each  beast ;  which  would  not  be 
To  them  made  common  and  divulged,  if  aught 


19C  PARADISE    LOST. 

Tlicreiii  enjoyed  were  wortliy  to  subdue 
The  soul  of  man,  or  passion  in  him  move. 
What  higher  in  her  society  thou  find'st 
Attractive,  human,  rational,  love  still ; 
In  loA'ing  thou  dost  well,  in  passion  not, 
Wlierein  true  love  consists  not ;  love  refines 
The  thoughts,  and  heart  enlarges,  hath  his  seat 
In  reason,  and  is  judicious,  is  the  scale 
By  which  to  heavenly  love  thou  may'st  ascend, 
Not  sunk  in  carnal  pleasure  ;  for  which  cause 
Among  the  beasts  no  mate  for  thee  is  found." 

To  whom  thus,  half  abashed,  Adam  replied : 
"  Neither  her  outside  formed  so  fair,  nor  aught 
In  procreation  common  to  all  kinds 
(Though  higher  of  the  genial  bed  by  far, 
And  with  mysterious  reverence  I  deem), 
So  much  delights  me,  as  those  graceful  acts. 
Those  thousand  decencies  that  daily  flow 
From  all  her  words  and  actions  mixed  with  love 
And  sweet  compliance,  which  declare  unfeigned 
Union  of  mind,  or  in  us  both  one  soul ; 
Harmony  to  behold  in  Avedded  pair 
More  grateful  than  harmonious  sound  to  the  ear. 
Yet  these  subject  not  :  I  to  thee  disclose 
What  inward  thence  I  feel,  not  therefore  foiled, 
Who  meet  with  various  objects,  fi-om  the  sense 
Variously  representing  ;  yet,  still  free. 
Approve  the  best,  and  follow  what  I  approve. 
To  love  thou  blamest  me  not;  for  love,  thou  say'st 
Leads  up  to  Heaven,  is  both  the  way  and  guide  ; 
Bear  with  me,  then,  if  lawful  what  I  ask. 
Love  not  the  heavenly  spirits  ?  and  how  their  love 
Express  they?  by  looks  only?  or  do  they  mix 
Irradiance,  virtual  or  immediate  touch  ?  " 

To  whom  the  angel,  with  a  smile  that  glowed 
Celestial  rosy  red,  love's  proper  hue. 
Answered:  "Let  it  suffice  thee  that  thou  know'st 
Us  hap])y,  and  without  love  no  hapjuness. 
Whatever  pure  thou  in  the  body  enjoy'st 
(And  pure  thou  wert  created)   we  enjoy 


rAKAinSE    LOST.  191 

In  eminence,  and  obstacle  find  none 

Of  meinbranc,  joint  or  limb,  exclusive  bars; 

Easier  than  air  with  air,  if  spirits  embrace, 

Total  they  mix,  union  of  pure  Avith  pure 

Desiring;  nor  restrained  conveyance  need 

As  flesh  to  mix  witli  flesh,  or  soul  with  soul. 

But  I  can  now  no  more ;  the  parting  sun 

Beyond  the  earth's  gi-een  cape  and  verdant  islea 

Hesperian  sets,  my  signal  to  depart. 

Be  strong,  live  happy,  and  love,  but  first  of  all 

Ilim  whom  to  love  is  to  obey,  and  keep 

JTis  great  command  ;  take  heed  lest  passion  sway 

Thy  judgment  to  do  aught  which  else  free  will 

Would  not  admit ;  thine  and  of  all  thy  sons 

The  weal  or  woe  in  thee  is  placed :  beware! 

I  in  thy  ]iersevering  shall  rejoice, 

And  all  the  blest :  stand  fast ;  to  stand  or  fall 

Free  in  thine  own  arbitrement  it  lies. 

Perfect  within,  no  outward  aid  require  ; 

And  all  temptation  to  transgress  repel." 

So  saying,  he  arose ;  whom  Adam  thus 
Followed  with  benediction  :  "  Since  to  part, 
Go,  heavenly  guest,  ethereal  messenger, 
Sent  from  whose  sovran  goodness  I  adore. 
Gentle  to  me  and  affable  hath  been 
Thy  condescension,  and  shall  be  honoured  ever 
With  grateful  memory  :  thou  to  mankind 
Be  good  and  friendly  still,  and  oft  return." 

So  ])arted  they :  the  angel  tip  to  Heaven 
From  the  thick  shade,  and  Adam  to  Lis  bower. 


192  PARADISE    LOST. 


BOOK  IX. 


THE  ARGUMKNT. 


Satan,  having  compassed  the  earth,  with  meditated  gnilc  returns  as  a 
mist  by  uight  into  Paradise;  enters  into  the  serpent  sleeping.  Adam  and 
Eve  in  the  morning  go  fortli  to  their  labours,  which  Eve  proposes  to  divide 
in  several  places,  each  labonring  ajiart:  Adam  consents  not,  alleging  tlie 
danger  lest  that  enemy,  of  wlioni  they  were  forewarned,  should  attempt 
her  fouud  alone :  Eve,  loath  to  be  thought  not  circumspect  or  firm 
enough,  urges  her  going  apart,  tlie  rather  desirous  to  make  trial  of  her 
strength;  Adam  at  last  yields.  The  serpent  finds  her  alone;  his  subtle 
approach,  first  gazing,  then  speaking,  with  much  flattery  extolling  Eve 
above  all  other  creatures.  Eve,  wondering  to  hear  the  serjieut  speak, 
asks  how  he  attained  to  human  speech  and  such  understanding  not  till 
now;  the  serpent  answers,  that  by  tasting  of  a  certain  tree  in  the  garden 
he  attained  both  to  speech  and  reason,  till  theu  void  of  both ;  Eve  recpiires 
him  to  bring  lier  to  that  tree,  and  finds  it  to  be  the  tree  of  knowledge 
forbidden;  the  serpent,  now  grown  bolder,  with  many  wiles  and  argu- 
ments induces  her  at  length  to  eat;  she,  pleased  with  tlie  taste,  deliberates 
a  while  whether  to  impart  thereof  to  Adam  or  not;  at  last  brings  liini  of 
the  fruit  ;  relates  what  persuaded  her  to  eat  thereof  :  Adam,  at  first 
amazed,  but  perceiving  her  lost,  resolves,  through  vehemence  of  love,  to 
perish  with  her;  and,  extenuating  the  trespass,  eats  also  of  the  fruit:  tlie 
effects  tliereof  in  them  both;  they  seek  to  cover  their  nakedness;  theu 
fall  to  variance  and  accusation  of  one  another. 

No  more  of  talk  where  God  or  angel  guest 
With  man,  as  with  his  friend,  familiar  used 
To  sit  indulgent,  and  witli  him  partake 
Kural  repast,  permitting  hiui  the  wliile 
Venial  discourse  unblamed  :  I  now  must  ch 
Those  notes  to  tragic  ;  foul  distrust,  and  breach 
Disloyal  on  the  part  of  man,  revolt. 
And  disobedience  ;  on  the  part  of  Heaven 
Now  alienated,  distance  and  distaste, 
Anger  and  just  rebuke,  and  judgment  given, 
Tiiat  brought  into  this  world  a  wurUl  of  woe. 
Sin  and  her  shadow  Death,  and  misery 
Death's  harbinger  :  sad  task,  yet  argument 


annre 


PARADTRK    LOST.  193 

Not  loss  but  more  lioroic  tlian  the  wrath 

(  f  sl-ern  Acliilles  on  liis  foe  pursued 

Thrice  fugitive  about  Troy  wall ;  or  rage 

Of  Tunuis  for  Lavinia  disos])oused  ; 

Or  Ne])tuiie's  ire,  or  Juno's,  that  so  long 

Perplexed  the  Greek  and  Cytherea's  son ; 

If  answerable  style  I  can  obtain 

Of  my  celestial  patroness,  who  designs 

ITer  nightly  visitation  unim])lored, 

And  dictates  to  me  slumbering,  or  inspires 

Easy  my  unpremeditated  verse  : 

Since  first  this  subject  for  heroic  song 

Pleased  me  long  choosing,  and  beginning  late ; 

Not  sedulous  by  nature  to  indite 

Wars,  hitherto  the  only  argunient 

Heroic  deemed,  chief  mastery  to  dissect 

With  long  and  tedious  liavoc  fabled  knights 

In  battles  feigned ;  the  better  fortitude 

Of  patience  and  hei-oic  martyrdom 

Unsung;  or  to  describe  races  and  games, 

Or  tilting  furniture,  emblazoned  shields, 

Impresses  quaint,  caparisons  and  steeds  ; 

Bases  and  tinsel  trappings,  gorgeous  kniglits 

At  joust  or  tournament;  then  marshalled  feast 

Served  up  in  liall  "vvith  sewers  and  seneschals; 

The  skill  of  artifice  or  otHce  mean, 

Not  that  which  justly  gives  heroic  name 

To  person  or  to  poem.     Me  of  these 

Nor  skilled,  nor  studious,  higher  argument 

Pemains,  sufficient  of  itself  to  raise 

That  name,  xmless  an  age  too  late,  or  cold 

(climate,  or  years,  damp  my  intended  wing 

l)epresscd,  and  much  they  may,  if  all  be  mine, 

Not  hers  who  brings  it  nightly  to  my  ear. 

The  sun  was  sunk,  and  after  him  the  star 
Of  Hesperus,  whose  office  is  to  bring 
Twilight  u])on  the  earth,  short  arbiter 
'Twixt  da}  and  night,  and  now  from  end  to  end 
Night's  hemisphere  had  veiled  the  horizon  round: 
When  Satan,  who  late  fled  before  the  threats 

13 


194  rAUADisr:  iAyr,T. 

Of  Gabriel  out  of  Eden,  now  improved 

In  meditated  fraud  an<l  malice,  bent 

On  man's  destruction,  maiigre  what  might  hap 

Of  heavier  on  himself,  fearless  returned. 

By  night  he  had  fled,  and  at  midnight  returned 

From  compassing  the  earth,  cautious  of  day, 

Since  Uriel,  regent  of  the  sun,  descried 

His  entrance,  and  forewarned  the  cherubim 

That  kept  their  watch  ;  thence  full  of  anguish  driven, 

The  space  of  seven  continued  nights  he  rode 

With  darkness ;  thrice  the  equinoctial  line 

He  circled  ;  four  times  crossed  the  car  of  night 

From  pole  to  pole,  traversing  each  colure : 

On  the  eighth  returned,  and  on  the  coast  averse 

From  entrance  or  cherubic  watch,  by  stealth 

Found  unsuspected  way.     There  was  a  place, 

Now  not,  though  sin,  not  time,  first  wrought  the  change, 

"Where  Tigris  at  the  foot  of  Paradise 

Into  a  gulf  shot  under  ground,  till  part 

Rose  up  a  fountain  by  the  tree  of  life ; 

In  with  the  river  sunk,  and  with  it  rose 

Satan,  involved  in  rising  mist ;  then  sought 

Where  to  lie  hid  ;  sea  he  had  searched,  and  land, 

From  Eden  over  Pontus,  and  the  pool 

Ma30tis,  up  beyond  the  river  Ob  ; 

Downward  as  far  antartic  ;  and  in  length 

West  from  Orontes  to  the  ocean  barred 

At  Darien  ;  thence  to  the  land  Avhere  flows 

Ganges  and  Indus  :  thus  the  orb  he  roamed 

With  narrow  search,  and  with  inspection  deep 

Considered  every  creature,  which  of  all 

Most  opportune  might  serve  his  wiles,  and  found 

The  serpent  subtlest  beast  of  all  the  fleld. 

Him  after  long  debate,  irresolute 

Of  thoughts  revolved,  his  final  sentence  chose 

Fit  vessel,  fittest  imp  of  fraud,  in  whom 

To  enter,  and  his  dark  suggestions  hide 

From  sharpest  sight ;  for  in  the  wily  snake. 

Whatever  sleights,  none  would  suspicious  mark, 

As  from  his  wit  and  native  subtlety 


PARA  DISK    LOST.  195 

Proooodintj ;  \vlii(li,  in  oilier  beasts  obsei'ved, 
l)oul)t  iiiigiit  beget  of  diubolical  power 
Active  within  beyond  the  sense  of  brute. 
Tims  he  resolved,  but  first  from  inward  grief 
Ilis  bursting  passion  into  plaints  thus  poured  : 

"  O  earth  !  how  like  to  Heaven,  if  not  pi-eferre 
More  justly,  scat  worthier  of  gods,  as  built 
With  second  thoughts,  reforming  what  was  old  ! 
For  what  God,  after  better,  worse  would  build  ? 
Terrestrial  Heaven,  danced  round  by  other  heaven 
That  shine,  yet  bear  their  bright  officious  lam^is, 
Light  above  light,  for  thee  alone,  as  seems, 
In  thee  concentring  all  their  precious  beams 
Of  sacred  influence  !     As  God  in  Heaven 
Is  centre,  yet  extends  to  all,  so  thou 
Centring  receiv'st  from  all  those  orbs ;  in  thee. 
Not  in  themselves,  all  their  known  virtue  aj>pears 
Productive  in  herb,  plant,  and  nobler  birth 
Of  creatures  animate  with  gradual^life 
Of  growth,  sense,  reason,  all  summed  up  in  man. 
With  what  delight  could  I  have  walked  thee  round, 
If  I  could  joy  in  aught,  sweet  interchange  | 

Of  hill  and  valley,  rivers,  woods,  and  plains, 
Now  land,  now  sea,  and  shores  with  forest  crowned, 
Rocks,  dens,  and  caves  !  but  I  in  none  of  these 
Find  place  or  refuge ;  and  the  more  I  see 
Pleasures  about  me,  so  much  more  I  feel   . 
Torment  within  me,  as  from  the  hateful  seige 
Of  contraries;  all  good  to  me  becomes 
Bane,  and  in  Heaven  much  worse  would  be  my  state. 
But  neither  here  seek  I,  no,  nor  in  Heaven 
To  dwell,  unless  by  mastering  Heaven's  supreme ; 
Nor  hope  to  be  myself  less  miserable 
By  Avhat  I  seek,  but  others  to  make  such 
As  I,  though  thereby  worse  to  me  redound  : 
For  only  in  destroying  I  find  ease 
To  my  relentless  thoughts;  and  him  destroyed, 
Or  won  to  what  may  Avork  his  utter  loss, 
For  whom  all  this  was  made,  all  this  will  soon 
Follow,  as  to  him  linked  in  weal  or  woe; 


lOG  PAKADISE    LOST. 

In  woe  tlien ;  lliat  destruction  wide  may  range  : 

To  me  shall  be  the  glory  sole  among 

The  infernal  ])0wers,  in  one  day  to  have  marred 

What  he,  Almighty  styled,  six  nights  and  days 

Continued  making,  and  who  knows  how  long 

Before  had  been  contriving,  tiiough  perhaps 

Not  longer  than  since  I  in  one  night  freed 

From  servitude  inglorious  well  nigh  half 

The  angelic  name,  and  thinner  left  the  throng 

Of  his  adorers:  he,  to  be  avenged. 

And  to  repair  his  numbers  thus  impaired, 

Whether  such  virtue  spent  of  old  now  failed 

More  angels  to  create,  if  they  at  least 

Are  his  created,  or,  to  spite  us  more, 

Determined  to  advance  into  our  room 

A  creature  formed  of  earth,  and  him  endow, 

Exalted  from  so  base  original, 

With  heavenly  spoils,  our  s])oils :  what  he  decreed 

lie  effected  ;  man  he  ^ade,  and  for  him  built 

Magnificent  this  world,  and  earth  his  seat, 

Ilim  lord  pronounced,  and  (oh,  indignity  !) 

Subjected  to  his  service  angel-wings. 

And  flaming  ministers  to  watch  and  tend 

Their  earthly  charge  :  of  these  the  vigilance 

I  dread,  and  to  elude,  thus  wrapped  in  mist 

Of  midnight  vapour,  glide  obscure  and  pry 

In  every  bush  and  brake,  whose  hap  may  find 

The  serpent  sleeping,  in  whose  mazy  folds 

To  hide  me  and  the  dark  intent  I  bring. 

Oh,  foul  descent !  that  I,  who  erst  contended 

With  gods  to  sit  the  higliest,  am  now  constrained 

Into  a  beast,  and  mixed  with  bestial  slime, 

This  essence  to  incarnate  and  imbrute, 

That  to  the  height  of  deity  as})ired ! 

But  what  will  not  ambition  and  revenge 

Descend  to  ?  who  as])ires  must  down  as  low 

As  high  he  soared,  obnoxious  first  or  last 

To  basest  things.     Revenge,  at  first  though  sweet. 

Bitter  ere  long  back  on  itself  recoils  : 

Let  it ;  I  reck  not,  so  it  light  wxU  aimed, 


PARADISE    LOf?T.  197 

Since  liigher  I  fall  short,  on  him  who  next 
Provokes  my  envy,  this  new  favourite 
Of  Heaven,  ihis  man  of  clay,  son  of  despite, 
Whom,  us  the  more  to  sj^ile,  his  Maker  raised 
From  dust :  sjnte  then  with  spite  is  best  repaid." 

So  saying,  through  each  tliicket  dank  or  dry 
Like  a  black  mist  low  creeping,  he  held  on 
His  midnight  search,  where  soonest  he  might  find 
The  serjient :  him  fast  sleeping  soon  he  found 
In  labyrinth  of  many  a  round  self-rolled. 
His  head  the  midst,  well  stored  with  subtle  wiles : 
Nor  yet  in  horrid  shade  or  dismal  den, 
Nor  nocent  yet,  but  on  the  grassy  herb 
Fearless,  unfeared,  he  sle])t :  in  at  his  mouth 
The  devil  entered,  and  his  brutal  sense, 
In  heart  or  head,  possessing,  soon  inspired 
With  act  intelligential ;  but  his  sleep 
Disturbed  not,  waiting  close  the  api)roacli  of  morn. 
Now  when  as  sacred  light  began  to  dawn 
In  Eden  on  the  humid  flowers,  that  breathed 
Their  morning  incense,  when  all  things  that  breathe, 
From  the  earth's  great  altar  send  up  silent  praise 
To  the  Creator,  and  his  nostrils  fill 
With  grateful  smell,  forth  came  the  human  pair, 
And  joined  their  vocal  worship  to  the  quire 
Of  creatures  wanting  voice ;  that  done,  partake 
The  season,  ])rime  for  sweetest  sents  and  airs  : 
Then  commune  how  that  day  they  best  may  ply 
Their  growing  work ;  for  much  their  work  outgrew 
Tlie  hands'  despatch  of  two  gardening  so  wide. 
And  Eve  first  to  her  husband  thus  began  : 

"  Adam,  well  may  we  labour  still  to  dress 
This  garden,  still  to  tend  ])lant,  lierb,  and  flower, 
Our  })leasant  task  enjoined  ;  but,  till  more  hands 
Aid  us,  the  Avork  under  our  labour  grows, 
Luxurious  by  resti'aint ;  what  Ave  by  day 
Lop  overgrown,  or  jjrune,  or  prop,  or  bind. 
One  night  or  two  with  Avanton  growth  derides, 
Tending  to  Avild.     Thou,  therefore,  noAV  advise, 
Or  hear  Avhat  to  my  mind  first  thoughts  i)resent ; 


198  PARADISE    LOST. 

Lot  US  divide  onr  labours,  thou  where  choice 
Lends  thee,  or  wliere  most  needs,  Avhether  to  wind 
The  woodbine  round  this  arbour,  or  direct 
Tlie  clasping  ivy  where  to  climb,  while  I 
Li  yonder  spring  of  roses  intermixed 
With  myi-tle,  find  what  to  redress  till  noon  : 
For  while  so  near  each  other  thus  all  day 
Our  task  we  choose,  wdiat  Avonder  if  so  near 
Looks  intervene  and  smiles,  or  object  new 
Casual  discourse  draw  on,  whicli  intermits 
Our  day's  Avork,  brought  to  little,  though  begun 
Early,  and  the  hour  of  supper  comes  unearned?" 

To  whom  mild  answer  Adam  thus  returned : 
"  Sole  Eve,  associate  sole,  to  me  beyond 
Compare  above  all  living  creatures  dear  ! 
Well  hast  thou  motioned,  well  thy  thoughts  employed 
How  we  might  best  fulfil  the  work  which  here  . 

God  hath  assigned  us,  nor  of  me  shalt  pass 
Unpraised  ;  for  nothing  lovelier  can  be  found 
In  woman,  than  to  study  household  good. 
And  good  works  in  her  husband  to  promote. 
Yet  not  so  strictly  hath  our  Lord  imposed 
Labor,  as  to  debar  us  when  we  need 
Refreshment,  whether  food,  or  talk  between, 
Food  of  the  mind,  or  this  sweet  intercourse 
Of  looks  and  smiles  ;  for  smiles  from  reason  flow, 
To  brute  denied,  and  are  of  love  the  food ; 
Love,  not  the  lowest  end  of  human  life. 
For  not  to  irksome  toil,  but  to  delight 
He  made  us,  and  delight  to  reason  joined. 
These  paths  and  bowers  doubt  not  but  our  joint  hands 
Will  keep  from  wilderness  with  ease,  as  Avide 
As  we  need  walk,  till  younger  hands  ere  long 
Assist  us  :  but  if  much  converse  perhaps 
Thee  satiate,  to  short  absence  I  could  yield ; 
For  solitude  sometimes  is  best  society, 
And  short  retirement  urges  sweet  return. 
But  other  doubt  possesses  me,  lest  harm 
Befall  thee  severed  from  me ;  for  thou  knoAv'st 
What  hath  been  Avarned  us,  what  malicious  foe, 


PAKADISE    LOST,  199 

Envyinijj  our  liap])iness,  .ind  of  his  own 

])esi);iiiing,  seeks  to  work  us  woe  and  shame 

By  sly  assault ;  and  somewliere  nigh  at  liand 

Watches,  no  doubt,  with  greedy  hope  to  find 

His  wish  and  best  advantage,  us  asunder. 

Hopeless  to  circumvent  us  joined,  where  each 

To  other  speedy  aid  might  lend  at  need ; 

Whether  his  first  design  be  to  withdraw 

Our  fealty  from  God,  or  to  disturb 

Conjugal  love,  than  Avhich  perhaps  no  bliss 

Enjoyed  by  us  excites  his  envy  more  ; 

Or  this,  or  worse,  leave  not  the  faithful  side 

That  gave  thee  being,  still  shades  thee  and  protects. 

The  wife,  where  danger  or  dishonor  lurks. 

Safest  and  seemliest  by  her  husband  stays. 

Who  guards  her,  or  with  her  the  worst  endures." 

To  whom  the  virgin  majesty  of  Eve, 
As  one  who  loves,  and  some  unkindness  meets. 
With  sweet  austere  composure  thus  replied  : 

"  Offspring  of  Heaven  and  earth,  and  all  earth's  lord, 
That  such  an  enemy  we  have,  who  seeks 
Our  ruin,  both  by  thee  informed  I  learn, 
And  from  the  parting  angel  overheard, 
As  in  a  shady  nook  I  stood  behind. 
Just  then  returned  at  shut  of  evening  flowers. 
But  that  thou  shouldst  my  firmness,  therefore,  doubt 
To  God  or  thee,  because  Ave  have  a  foe 
May  tempt  it,  I  expected  not  to  hear. 
His  violence  thou  fear'st  not,  being  such 
As  we,  not  capable  of  death  or  pain. 
Can  either  not  receive,  or  can  repel. 
His  fraud  is  then  thy  fear,  which  plain  infers 
Thy  equal  fear  that  my  firm  faith  and  love 
Can  by  his  fraud  be  shaken  or  seduced  ; 
Thoughts,  which  how  found  they  harbour  in  thy  breast, 
Adam,  misthought  of  her  to  thee  so  dear? 

To  whom  with  healing  words  Adam  replied  : 
"Daughter  of  God  and  man,  immortal  Eve, 
For  such  thou  art,  from  sin  and  blame  entire : 
Not  diffident  of  thee  do  I  dissuade 


200  PARADISE    LOST. 

Thy  absence  from  my  sight,  l)ut  to  avoid 

The  attempt  itself,  intended  by  our  foe. 

For  ho  wlio  tempts,  tliongh  in  vain,  at  least  asperses 

The  tempted  witli  dishonour  foul,  supposed 

Not  incorruptible  of  faith,  not  proof 

Against  temptation  :  thou  thyself  with  scorn 

And  anger  wouldst  resent  the  offered  wrong, 

Though  ineffectual  found  :  misdeem  not,  then, 

If  such  affront  I  labour  to  avert 

From  thee  alone,  which  on  us  both  at  once 

The  enemy,  though  bold,  will  hardly  dare  ; 

Or,  daring,  first  on  me  the  assault  shall  light. 

Nor  thou  his  malice  and  false  guile  contemn; 

Subtle  he  needs  must  be,  who  could  seduce 

Angels;  nor  think  sujierfluous  others'  aid. 

I  from  the  infiuence  of  thy  looks  receive 

Access  in  every  virtue  ;  in  thy  sight 

More  wise,  more  Avatchful,  stronger,  if  need  M^ere, 

Of  outward  strength  ;  while  shame,  thou  looking  on, 

Shame  to  be  overcome  or  over-reached. 

Would  utmost  vigour  raise,  and  raised  unite. 

"Why  should  not  thou  like  sense  within  thee  feel 

When  I  am  present,  and  thy  trial  choose 

With  me,  best  witness  of  thy  virtue  tried  ?  " 

So  spake  domestic  Adam  in  his  care 
And  matrimonial  love  ;  but  Eve,  who  thought 
Less  attribiited  to  her  faith  sincere, 
Thus  her  re\Ay  with  accent  sweet  rencAVcd: 

"  If  this  be  our  condition,  thus  to  dwell 
In  narrow  circuit  straitened  by  a  foe, 
Subtle  or  violent,  we  not  endued 
Single  Avith  like  defence,  wherever  met, 
IIow  are  we  hap])y,  still  in  fear  of  harm? 
]]ut  harm  precedes  not  sin :  only  our  foe. 
Tempting,  affronts  us  with  his  foul  esteem 
Of  our  integrity  :  his  foul  esteem 
Sticks  no  dislionor  on  our  front,  but  turns 
Foul  on  himself;  then  wherefore  shunned  or  feared 
By  us  ?  who  rather  double  honour  gain 
From  his  surmise  ])rovcd  false,  find  peace  within, 


PAIIADISK    LOST.  201 

Favor  from  IToavcn,  our  witness  from  the  event. 
And  wli.'it  is  faitli,  love,  virtue,  unassayed 
Alone,  withuut  exterior  help  sustained? 
Let  us  not,  then,  suspect  our  happy  state 
Left  so  imperfect  by  the  Maker  wise, 
As  not  secure  to  single  or  combined. 
Frail  is  oiir  happiness,  is  this  be  so, 
And  Eden  Avere  no  Eden  thus  exposed." 

To  whom  thus  Adam  fervently  replied: 
"0  woman,- best^are  all  things  as  the  will 
Of  God  ordained  them  ;  In's  creating  hand 
Nothing  imperfect  or  deficient  left 
Of  all  that  he  created,  much  less  man. 
Or  augljt  tliat  might  his  ha|)py  state  secure, 
Secure  from  outward  force;  within  himself 
The  danger  lies,  yet  lies  within  his  j)Ower: 
Against  his  will  he  can  receive  no  harm. 
But  God  left  free  the  will,  for  what  obeys 
Reason,  is  free;  and  j-eason  ho  made  right, 
But  bid  her  well  beware,  and  still  erect; 
Lest  by  some  fair-appearing  good  surpriswl 
Slie  dictate  false,  and  misinfonn  the  will 
To  do  what  God  ex))rcssly  hath  forbid. 
Not  then  mistrust,  but  tender  love,  enjoins 
That  I  should  mind  thee  oft;  and  mind  thou  me. 
Firm  we  subsist,  yet  ])ossibly  to  swerve. 
Since  reason  not  iiujtossibly  may  meet 
Some  specious  object  by  the  fue  suborned, 
AikI  fall  into  deception  unaware, 
Not  keeping  strictest  watch,  as  she  was  warned. 
Seek  not  temptation  then,  Avhich  to  avoid 
Were  better,  and  most  likely,  if  from  me 
'J^hou  sever  not :  trial  will  come  unsought, 
Wouldst  thou  ap])rove  thy  constancy,  aj)prove 
Fn>t  thy  obedience  ;  the  other  who  can  kno^ 
Not  seeing  thee  attemiUed,  who  attest? 
But  if  thou  think  trial  unsought  may  find 
Us  both  securer  than  thus  warned  thou  seera'st, 
Go  ;  for  thy  stay,  not  free,  al)sents  thee  more; 
Go  in  thy  native  innocence  ;  rely 


202  PARADISK    LOST. 

On  what  tliou  liast  of  virtue ;  suninion  all : 

For  God  towards  thee  hatli  done  liis  ])art:  do  thine 

So  spake  the  patnai-ch  of  luankind  ;  but  Eve 
Persisted  ;  yet  submiss,  though  last,  replied  : 

"  With  thy  permission,  then,  and  thus  forewarne 
Chiefly  by  what  thy  own  last  reasoning  words 
Touched  only,  that  our  trial,  when  least  sought 
May  find  us  both,  perhaps,  far  less  prepared, 
The  willinger  I  go,  nor  much  expect 
A  foe  so  proud  will  first  the  weaker  seek ; 
So  bent,  the  more  shall  shame  him  his  repulse." 

Thus  saying,  from  her  husband's  hand  her  hand 
Soft  she  withdrew,  and,  like  a  wood-nymph  light, 
Oread  or  Dryad,  or  of  Delia's  train, 
Betook  her  to  the  groves  ;  but  Delia's  self 
In  gait  surpassed,  and  goddess-like  deport, 
Though  not  as  she  with  bow  and  quiver  armed, 
But  Avith  such  gardening  tools  as  art  yet  rude, 
Guiltless  of  fire,  had  formed,  or  angels  brought. 
To  Pales,  or  Pomona,  thus  adorned, 
Likest  she  seemed  ;  Pomona  when  she  fled 
Vertumnus,  or  to  Ceres  in  her  prime, 
Yet  virgin  of  Proserpina  from  Jove. 
]Ier  long  with  ardent  look  his  eye  pursue 
Delighted,  but  desiring  more  her  stay. 
Oft  he  to  her  his  charge  of  quick  return 
Pepeated  ;  she  to  him  as  oft  engaged 
To  be  returned  by  noon  amid  the  bower, 
And  all  things  in  best  order  to  invite 
Noontide  rei)ast,  or  afternoon's  repose. 
O  much  deceived,  much  failing,  ha])less  Eve, 
Of  thy  presumed  return  !  event  perverse  ! 
Thou  never  fi'om  that  hour  in  Paradise 
Foiind'st  either  sweet  repast,  or  sound  rej)ose  ; 
Such  ambush,  hid  among  sweet  flowers  and  shades, 
"Waited  with  hellish  rancour  imminent 
To  interce])t  thy  way,  or  send  thee  back 
Despoiled  of  innocence,  of  fait'.,  of  bliss. 
For  now,  ajid  since  first  l)reak  of  dawn,  the  fiend. 
Mere  serpent  in  appearance,  forth  was  come, 


PARADISE    LOST.  liU3 

AikI  on  his  quest,  wlierc  likliest  ho  might  find 

The  only  two  of  mankind,  hut  in  tliem 

The  whole  ineluded  race,  liis  ]>urj)Osed  ])rey. 

In  hower  and  field  he  sought,  where  any  tuft 

Of  grove  or  garden-plot  more  pleasant  lay, 

Their  tendance  or  ])lantation  for  deliglit; 

]>y  fountain  or  by  shady  rivulet 

He  sought  them  both,  but  wished  his  hap  might  find 

Eve  separate  ;  he  wislied,  but  not  Avith  liope 

Of  what  so  seldom  chanced ;  when  to  his  wish, 

Beyond  his  lio])e,  Eve  separate  lie  spies, 

Veiled  in  a  cloud  of  fragrance,  where  she  stood, 

Half  sjjied,  so  thick  the  roses  blushing  round 

About  her  glowed,  oft  stooping  to  supi)ort 

Each  flower  of  slender  stalk,  whose  head,  though  gay 

Carnation,  purple,  azure,  or  s])ecked  with  gold. 

Hung  drooping  unsustained  ;  them  she  upstays 

Gently  with  myrtle  band,  mindless  the  while 

Herself,  though  fairest  unsupported  llower. 

From  her  best  prop  so  far,  and  storm  so  nigh. 

Nearer  he  drew,  and  many  a  walk  traversed 

Of  stateliest  covert,  cedar,  pine,  or  palm, 

Then  voluble  and  bold,  now  hid,  now  seen 

Among  thick- woven  arborets  and  fiowers 

Embordered  on  each  bank,  the  hand  of  Eve: 

Si)ot  more  delicious  tiian  those  gardens  feigned 

Or  of  revived  Adonis,  or  renowned 

Alcinous,  host  of  old  Laertes'  son  ; 

Or  that,  not  mystic,  where  the  sajtient  king 

Held  dalliance  with  his  fair  Egy])tian  spouse. 

]\Iuch  he  the  i)lace  admired,  the  person  more. 

As  one  who  long  in  populous  city  pent, 

"Where  houses  thick  and  sewers  annoy  the  air, 

Forth  issuing  on  a  summer's  morn  to  breathe 

Among  the  pleasant  villages  and  farms 

Adjoined,  from  each  thing  met  conceives  delight; 

The  smell  of  grain,  or  tedded  grass,  or  kine, 

Or  dairy,  each  rural  sight,  each  rui'al  sound  ; 

If  chance  with  nynii)h-like  step  fair  virgin  pass. 

What  pleasing  seemed,  for  her  now  pleases  more, 


204  PAMAniSK    LOST. 

She  most,  and  in  her  look  sums  all  delight: 
Such  ])lonsure  took  the  serpent  to  behold 
This  flowery  plat,  the  sweet  recess  of  Eve, 
Thus  early,  thus  alone  ;  her  heavenly  form 
Angelic,  but  more  soft  and  feminine  ; 
Ilei'  graceful  innocence,  her  every  air 
Of  gesture,  or  least  action,  overawed 
His  malice,  and  with  rapine  sweet  bereaved 
Ilis  fierceness  of  the  fierce  intent  it  brought. 
That  space  the  evil  one  abstracted  stood 
From  his  OAvn  evil,  and  for  the  time  remained 
Stupidly  good,  of  enmity  disarmed, 
Of  guile,  of  hate,  of  envy,  of  revenge  ; 
But  the  hot  Hell  that  always  in  him  burns, 
Though  in  mid  Heaven,  soon  ended  his  delight, 
And  tortures  him  now  more,  the  more  he  sees 
Of  pleasure  not  for  him  ordained  :  then  soon 
Fierce  hate  he  recollects,  and  all  his  thoughts 
Of  mischief,  gratulating,  thus  excites: 

"•  Thoughts,  whither  have  ye  led  me  !  with  what  sweet 
Compulsion  thus  transported  to  forget 
What  hither  brought  tis  !  hate,  not  love  ;  nor  hope 
Of  Paradise  for  Hell,  hope  here  to  taste 
Of  pleasure;  but  all  pleasure  to  destroy, 
Save  what  is  in  destroying;  other  joy 
To  me  is  lost.     Then  let  me  not  let  pass 
Occasion  which  now  smiles  ;  behold  alone 
The  woman,  opportune  to  all  attempts  ; 
Her  husband,  for  I  view  far  round,  not  nigh. 
Whose  higher  intellectual  more  I  shun, 
And  strength,  of  courage  haughty,  and  of  limb 
Her:)ic  built,  though  of  terrestrial  mould  ; 
Foe  not  informidable  ;  exempt  from  wound, 
I  not ;  so  much  hath  Plell  debased,  and  pain 
Enfeebled  me,  to  what  I  was  in  Heaven. 
She  fair,  divinely  fair,  fit  love  for  gods ; 
Not  terrible,  thougli  terror  be  in  love 
Atid  beauty,  not  ap]iroached  by  stronger  hate. 
Hate  stronger,  under  show  of  love  well  feigned, 
The  way  which  to  her  ruin  now  I  tend." 


PARADISE    LOST.  20i 

So  ppal<e  the  enemy  of  inankiiid  cnclose<l 
In  sor])ent,  inmate  bad  !  and  toward  Eve 
Addressed  his  way,  not  with  indented  wave, 
Prone  on  the  ground,  as  since,  but  on  his  rear, 
Cii-cular  base  of  rising  folds  that  towered 
Fold  aboA'e  fold,  a  surging  maze,  liis  head 
Crested  aloft,  and  carbuncle  his  eyes  ; 
With  burnished  neck  of  verdant  gold,  erect 
Amidst  his  circling  spires,  that  on  the  grass 
Floated  redundant:  pleasing  was  his  shape, 
And  lovely;  never  since  of  serpent  kind 
Loveliei-,  not  those  that  in  Illyria  changed 
Hermione  and  Cadmus,  or  the  god 
In  Ei>idaurus  ;  nor  to  which  transformed 
Ammonian  Jove,  or  Capitoline,  was  seen; 
He  with  Olynipias  ;  this  with  her  who  bore 
Scipio  the  height  of  Homo.     With  tract  oblique 
At  first,  as  one  wJio  sought  access,  but  feared 
To  interrupt,  sidelong  he  works  his  w%ay, 
As  when  a  ship  by  skilful  steersman  wrought 
Nigh  river's  mouth  or  foreland,  where  the  wdnd 
7eers  oft,  as  oft  so  steers,  and  shifts  her  sail: 
So  varied  he,  and  of  his  tortuous  train 
Curled  many  a  wanton  wreath  in  sight  of  Eve^ 
To  lure  her  eye ;  she  busied  heard  the  sound 
Of  rustling  leaves,  but  minded  not,  as  used 
To  such  disport  before  her  through  the  field, 
From  every  beast,  more  duteous  at  her  call 
Than  at  Circean  call  the  herd  disguised. 
He,  bolder  now,  uncalled  before  her  stood, 
But  as  in  gaze  admiring  :  oft  he  bowed 
His  turret  crest,  and  sleek  enamelled  neck, 
Fawning,  and  licked  the  ground  whereon  she  trod. 
His  gentle  dumb  expression  turned  at  length 
The  eye  of  Eye  to  mark  his  play ;  he,  glad 
Of  her  attention  gained,  with  serpent  tongue 
Organic,  or  impulse  of  vocal  air, 
His  fraudulent  temptation  thus  began  : 

"  Wonder  not,  sovran  mistress,  if  perha]>3 
Thou  caust,  who  art  sole  wonder ;  much  less  arm 


^ 


208  PARADISE    LOST. 

Thy  looks,  the  heaven  of  mildness,  Avith  clisrlain. 
Displeased  that  I  aj^proach  thee  thus,  and  gaze 
Insatiate,  I  thus  single,  nor  have  feared 
Thy  awful  brow,  more  awful  thus  retired. 
Fairest  resemblance  of  thy  Maker  fair, 
Thee  all  things  living  gaze  on,  all  things  thine 
By  gift,  and  thy  celestial  beauty  adore 
With  ravishment  beheld,  there  best  beheld 
Where  universally  admired  ;  but  here 
In  this  enclosure  wild,  these  beasts  among, 
Beholders  rude,  and  shallow  to  discern 
Half  what  in  thee  is  fair,  one  man  except. 
Who  sees  thee  ?  (and  what  is  one  ?)  who  shouldst  be  seen 
A  goddess  among  gods,  adored  and  served 
By  angels  numberless,  thy  daily  train." 
I         So  glozed  the  tempter,  and  his  proem  tuned ; 
Into  the  heart  of  Eve  his  words  made  way, 
Though  at  the  voice  much  marvelling;  at  length, 
Not  unamazcd,  she  thus  in  answer  spake : 

"  What  may  this  mean  ?  language  of  man  pronounced 
By  tongue  of  brute,  and  human  sense  expressed  ! 
The  first,  at  least,  of  these  I  thought  denied 
To  beasts,  whom  God  on  their  creation-day 
Created  mute  to  all  articulate  sound ; 
The  latter  I  demur,  for  in  their  looks 
Much  reason,  and  in  their  actions  oft  appears. 
Thee,  serpent,  subtlest  beast  of  all  the  field 
I  knew,  but  not  with  human  voice  endued  ; 
Uedouble  then  this  miracle,  and  say, 
How  cam'st  thou  speakable  of  mute,  and  how 
To  me  so  friendly  grown  above  the  rest 
Of  brutal  kind,  that  daily  are  in  sight : 
Say,  for  such  wonder  claims  attention  due." 

To  whom  the  guileful  tempter  thus  replied  : 
"Empress  of  this  fair  -world,  resplendent  Eve, 
Easy  to  me  it  is  to  tell  thee  all 

What  thou  command'st,  and  right  thou  shouldst  be  obeyed. 
I  was  at  first  as  other  beasts  that  graze 
The  trodden  herb,  of  abject  thoughts  and  low, 
As  was  my  food  ;  nor  aught  but  food  discerned 


PARADISE    LOST,  207 

Or  SOX,  and  apprehended  nothing  liigh  ; 

Till  on  a  day,  roving  the  field,  I  chanced 

A  goodly  tree  far  distant  to  behold 

Loaden  witli  fruit  of  fairest  colours  mixed, 

Kuddy  and  gold  :  I  nearer  drew  to  gaze  ; 

When  from  the  boughs  a  sav^ory  odour  blown, 

Grateful  to  appetite,  more  ])leased  my  sense 

Than  smell  of  sweetest  fennel,  or  the  teats 

Of  ewe  or  goat  dropping  with  milk  at  even, 

Unsuckcd  of  lamb  or  kid,  that  tend  their  play. 

To  satisfy  tlie  sharp  desire  I  had 

Of  tasting  tliose  fair  aj)ples,  I  resolved 

Not  to  defer  ;  liunger  and  thirst  at  once, 

Powerful  persuaders,  quickened  at  tlie  scent 

Of  that  alluring  fruit,  urged  me  so  keen. 

About  the  mossy  trunk  I  wound  me  soon. 

For  high  from  ground  the  branches  would  require 

Thy  utmost  reach  or  Adam's :  round  the  tree 

All  other  beasts  that  saw,  with  like  desire 

Longing  and  envying  stood,  but  could  not  reach. 

Amid  tlie  tree  now  got,  Avhere  ]ilenty  hung 

Tempting  so  nigh,  to  pluck  and  eat  my  fill 

I  spared  not ;  for  such  pleasure,  till  that  hour, 

At  feed  or  fountain  never  had  I  found. 

Sated  at  length,  ere  long  I  might  perceive 

Strange  alteration  in  me,  to  degree 

Of  reason  in  my  inwaid  powers,  and  speech 

Wanted  not  long,  though  to  this  sha])e  retained, 

Thenceforth  to  speculations  high  or  deep 

I  turned  my  thoughts,  and  with  capacious  mind 

Considered  all  things  visible  in  Heaven, 

Or  earth,  or  middle,  all  things  fair  and  good  ; 

But  all  that  fair  and  good  in  thy  divine 

Semblance,  and  in  thy  beauty's  heavenly  ray, 

United  I  beheld ;  no  fair  to  thine 

Equivalent  or  second,  which  com])elled 

Me  thus,  though  importune  perhaps,  to  come 

And  gaze,  and  worship  thee,  of  right  declared 

Sovran  of  creatures,  universal  dame." 

So  talked  the  sjnrited  sly  snake ;  and  Eve, 


208  PAliADISE    LOST. 

Yet  more  amazed,  unwary  thus  replied  : 

"  Serpent,  thy  overpraising  leaves  in  doub 
The  virtue  of  that  fruit,  in  thee  first  pi-oved  ; 
But  say,  where  grows  the  tree,  from  hence  how  far? 
For  many  are  the  trees  of  God  that  grow 
In  Paradise,  and  various,  yet  unknown 
To  us,  in  sucli  abundance  lies  our  choice, 
As  leaves  a  greater  store  of  fruit  untouched, 
Still  hanging  incorruptible,  till  men 
Grow  up  to  their  provision,  and  more  hands 
Help  to  disburden  nature  of  her  birth." 

To  whom  the  wily  adder,  blithe  and  glad: 
"  Empress,  the  way  is  ready,  and  not  long  ; 
Beyond  a  row  of  myrtles,  on  a  flat. 
Fast  by  a  fountain,  one  small  thicket  past 
Of  blowing  m)'rrh  and  balm  :  if  thou  accept 
My  conduct,  I  can  bring  thee  liither  soon." 

"  Lead  then,"  said  Eve.     He,  leading,  swiftly  rolled 
In  tangles,  and  made  intricate  seem  straight, 
To  mischief  swift.     Hope  elevates,  and  joy 
Brightens  his  crest;  as  when  a  wanderiug  fire, 
Compact  of  unctuous  vapour,  which  the  night 
Condenses,  and  the  cold  environs  round, 
Kindled  through  agitation  to  a  flame, 
Which  oft,  they  say,  some  evil  spirit  attends, 
Hovering  and  blazing  with  delusive  litxht, 
Misleads  the  amazed  night-wanderer  from  his  Avay 
To  bogs  and  mn-es,  and  oft  through  pond  or  pool  j 
There  swallowed  up  and  lost,  from  succour  far. 
So  glistered  the  dire  snake,  and  into  fraud 
Led  Eve  our  credulous  mother,  to  the  tree 
Of  prohibition,  root  of  all  our  woe ; 
Which  when  she  saw,  thus  to  her  guide  she  spake : 

"  Serpent,  we  might  have  spared  our  coming  hither, 
Fruitless  to  me,  though  fruit  be  here  to  excess. 
The  credit  of  whose  virtue  rest  with  thee. 
Wondrous  indeed,  if  cause  of  such  effects. 
But  of  this  tree  we  may  not  taste  noi-  touch ; 
God  so  corainandcd,  and  left  that  command 
Sole  daughter  of  his  voice  ;  the  rest,  we  live 


PARADISE    LOST.  5iUy 

Law  to  onrseU'es;  our  reason  is  our  law." 

To  whom  tlie  tcni))t,or  guilefully  replied  : 
"  Imleed  !  hath  God  then  r.aid  that  ot"  the  fruit 
Of  all  these  garden  trees  ye  shall  not  eat, 
Yet  lords  declared  of  all  in  earth  or  air  ?  " 

To  whom  tluis  Eve,  yet  sinless  :  "  Of  the  fruit 
Of  each  tree  in  the  garden  we  may' eat, 
But  of  the  fruit  of  this  fair  tree  amidst 
The  garden,  God  hath  said,  '  Ye  shall  not  eat 
Thereof,  nor  shall  ye  touch  it,  lest  ye  die.'  " 

She  scarce  had  said,  though  brief,  when  now  raoi'O  bold 
The  tempter,  but  with  show  of  zeal  and  love 
To  man,  and  indignation  at  his  wrong. 
New  part  i)uts  on  ;  and,  as  to  passion  moved, 
Fluctuates  disturbed,  yet  comely  and  in  act 
Raised,  as  of  some  gi-eat  matter  to  begin. 
As  when  of  old  some  orator  renowned 
In  Athens  or  free  Home,  where  eloquence 
Flourished,  since  mute,  to  some  great  cause  addressed, 
Stood  in  himself  collected,  while  each  ])art, 
Motion,  each  act,  won  audience  ere  the  tongue, 
Sometimes  in  height  began,  as  no  delay 
Of  ])reface  brooking  thi'ough  liis  zeal  of  right ; 
So  staTiding,  moving,  or  to  height  up-grown, 
The  tem})ter,  all  impassioned,  tlms  began  : 

"  O  sacred,  wise,  and  wisdom-giving  plant, 
Mother  of  science  !  now  I  feel  thy  ])Ower 
Within  me  clear,  not  only  to  discern 
Things  in  their  causes,  but  to  trace  the  ways 
Of  highest  agents,  deemed  however  wise. 
(Jueen  of  this  universe,  do  not  believe 
Those  rigid  threats  of  death.     Ye  shall  not  die ! 
How  should  ye?     By  the  fruit?     It  gives  you  life 
To  knowledge.     By  the  threatener  ?     Look  on  ine, 
Me  who  have  touched  and  tasted,  yet  both  live, 
And  life  more  perfect  have  attained  than  fate 
Meant  me,  by  venturing  Ingher  than  my  lot. 
Shall  that  be  shut  to  man,  which  to  the  beast 
Is  opcji  ?  or  will  God  incense  his  ire 
For  such  a  i)etty  tres})ass  ?  and  not  praise 

14 


210  AEADISE    LOST. 

Rather  your  dauntless  virtue,  whom  the  ]:)ahi 
Of  death  denounced,  whatever  thing  death  be. 
Deterred  not  from  achieving  wliat  miglit  lead 
To  happier  life,  knowledge  of  good  and  evil ; 
Of  good,  how  just  ?  of  evil,  if  what  is  evil 
Be  real,  why  not  known,  since  easier  slmnned? 
God  therefore  cannot  hurt  ye,  and  be  just ; 
Not  just,  not  God  ;  not  feared  then,  nor  obeyed  : 
Your  fear  itself  of  death  removes  the  fear. 
Wliy  then  was  this  forbid?     Why,  but  to  awe? 
Why,  but  to  keep  ye  low  and  ignorant, 
His  worshippers'?     He  knows  that  in  the  day 
Ye  eat  thereof,  your  eyes  that  seem  so  clear 
Yet  are  but  dim,  shall  perfectly  be  then 
Opened  and  cleared,  and  ye  sliull  be  as  gods, 
Knowing  both  good  and  evil  as  they  know. 
That  ye  shall  be  as  gods,  since  I  as  man, 
Internal  man,  is  but  proportion  meet : 
I  of  brute  human,  ye  of  human  gods. 
So  ye  shall  die,  perhaps,  by  putting  off 
Hnnian,  to  put  on  gods  ;  death  to  be  wished. 
Though  threatened,  which  no  worse  than  this  can  bring. 
And  what  are  gods  that  man  may  not  become 
As  they,  ])articipating  godlike  food  ? 
The  gods  are  first,  and  tliat  advantage  use 
On  our  belief  tliat  all  from  them  ])roceeds  ; 
I  question  it ;  for  this  fair  earth  I  see. 
Warmed  by  the  sun,  producing  every  kind. 
Them  nothing :  if  they  all  things,  who  enclosed 
Knowledge  of  good  and  evil  in  this  tree, 
That  whoso  eats  thereof  forthwith  attains 
Wisdom  without  their  leave  ?  and  wherein  lies 
The  offence,  that  man  sliould  thus  attain  to  know? 
What  can  your  knowledge  hui-t  him,  or  this  tree 
Impart  against  his  will,  if  all  be  his  ? 
Or  is  it  envy  ?   and  can  envy  dwell 
In  heaveidy  breasts  ?     These,  these  and  many  more 
Causes  import  your  need  of  this  fair  fruit. 
Goddess  humane  :  reach  then,  and  freely  taste." 
He  ended  j  and  bis  words,  replete  with  guile, 


PARADISK    LOST.  211 

lnU>  lior  lionrt  loo  easy  entrance  won  : 
Fixed  on  tlic  fruit  she  gazed,  whicli  to  behold 
Might  teni]>t  alone,  and  in  her  ears  the  sound 
Yet  rung  of  his  ))ersuasivc  Avords  impregned 
With  reason,  to  her  seeming,  and  with  truth; 
]\reanwhile  tlie  hour  of  noon  drew  on,  and  wake 
An  eager  ap])etite,  raised  by  the  smell 
So  savoury  of  that  fruit,  Avhich  with  desire, 
Inclinublc  now  grown  to  touch  or  taste, 
Solicited  lier  longing  eye  ;  yet  first 
Pausing  a  •vvliile,  tluis  to  herself  she  mused: 

"  Great  are  thy  virtues,  doubtless,  best  of  fruits, 
Tliough  ke)»t  from  man,  and  worthy  to  be  admired 
Whose  taste,  too  long  forborne,  at  first  assay 
Gove  elocution  to  the  mute,  and  taught 
The  tongue  not  made  for  sj^eech  to  speak  thy  praise : 
Thy  praise  He  al^o  who  forbids  thy  use. 
Conceals  not  from  us,  naming  thee  the  tree 
Of  knowledge,  knowledge  both  of  good  and  evil ; 
Forbids  us  then  to  taste,  but  his  forbidding 
Commends  thee  more,  while  it  infers  the  good 
By  thee  communicated,  and  our  want: 
For  good  unknown  sui-e  is  not  had  ;  or,  had 
And  yet  unknown,  is  as  not  had  at  all. 
In  ]>lain,  then,  what  forbids  He  but  to  know 
Forbids  us  good,  forbids  us  to  be  wise? 
Such  prohibitions  bind  not.     But  if  death 
Bind  us  with  after-bands,  what  profits  then 
Our  inward  freedom?     In  the  day  we  eat 
Of  this  fair  fruit,  our  doom  is,  we  shall  die. 
How  dies  the  serpent  ?  he  hath  eaten  and  lives. 
And  knows,  and  speaks,  and  reasons,  and  discerns, 
Irrational  till  then.     For  us  alone 
AVas  death  invented  ?  or  to  us  denied 
This  intellectual  food,  for  beasts  reserved  ? 
For  beasts,  it  seems  :  yet  that  one  beast  which  first 
Hath  tasted,  envies  not,  but  brings  with  joy 
The  good  befallen  him,  author  unsuspect. 
Friendly  to  man,  far  from  deceit  or  guile. 
Whai  fear  I,  then  ?  rather,  what  know  to  fear 


212  PAUAPTSK    LOST, 

Under  tliis  ignorance  of  goo(\  an  I  evil, 

Of  God  or  deatli,  of  law  or  ])L'nalLy  ? 

Ilere  grows  the  cure  of  all,  lliis  fruit  divine, 

Fair  to  the  eye,  inviting  to  the  taste, 

Of  virtue  to  make  wise  :  what  liindcrs  then 

To  reach,  and  feed  at  once  both  body  and  mind  ?" 

So  saying,  her  rash  hand  in  evil  liour 
Forth  reaching  to  the  fruit,  she  plucked,  she  ate : 
Earth  felt  the  wound,  and  nature  from  her  seat, 
Sighing  through  all  her  works,  ga-\'e  signs  of  woe, 
That  all  was  lost.     Back  to  the  thicket  slunk 
The  guilty  serpent ;  and  well  might ;  for  Eve, 
Intent  now  wholly  on  her  taste,  nought  else 
Regarded ;  such  delight  till  then,  as  seemed, 
In  fruit  she  never  tasted,  whether  true 
Or  fancied  so,  through  expectation  high 
Of  knowledge  ;  nor  was  godhead  from  lier  thought;, 
Greedily  she  engorged  without  restraint, 
And  knew  not  eating  deatli ;  satiate  at  length. 
And  heightened  as  with  wine,  jocund  and  boon, 
Thus  to  herself  she  pleasingly  began  : 

*'  O  sovran,  virtuous,  precious  of  all  trees 
In  Paradise  !  of  operation  blest 
To  sapience,  hitherto  obscured,  infamed, 
And  thy  fair  fruit  let  hang,  as  to  no  end 
Created  ;  but  henceforth  my  early  care, 
Not  without  song  each  morning,  and  due  praise. 
Shall  tend  thee,  and  the  fertile  burden  ease 
Of  thy  full  branches  offered  free  to  all ; 
Till,  dieted  by  thee,  I  grow  mature 
In  knowledge,  as  the  gods  who  all  things  know; 
Though  others  envy  Avhat  they  cannot  give  ; 
For  had  the  gift  been  theirs,  it  had  not  liere 
Thus  grown.     Experience,  next  to  tliee  I  owe, 
Best  guide  ;  not  following  thee,  I  had  remained 
In  ignorance  ;  thou  open'st  wisdom's  way. 
And  giv'st  access,  thouglx  secret  she  retire. 
And  I  perhaps  am  secret ;  Heaven  is  high. 
High,  and  remote  to  see  from  thence  distinct 
Each  thing  on  earth ;  and  other  care  periiaps 


PAKADISE    LOST.  '213 

May  liave  divGrterl  from  continual  watch 
Our  great  Forbidder,  safe  with  all  his  spies 
About  him.     But  to  Adam  in  what  sort 
Shall  I  ajipear  ?  shall  I  to  him  make  known 
As  yet  my  change,  and  give  him  to  partake 
Full  happiness  with  me,  or  rather  not, 
But  keep  the  odds  of  knowledge  in  my  power 
Without  co-partner  ?  so  to  add  what  wants 
In  female  sex,  the  more  to  draw  his  love, 
And  render  me  more  cqiial,  and,  perhaps, 
A  thing  not  undesirable,  sometime 
Superior  ;  for  inferior  who  is  free  ? 
This  may  be  well;  but  what  if  God  have  seen, 
And  death  ensue?  then  I  shall  be  no  more, 
And  Adam,  wedded  to  another  Eve, 
Shall  live  with  her  enjoying,  I  extinct : 
A  death  to  think !     Confirmed  then  I  resolve, 
Adam  shall  share  with  me  in  bliss  or  woe  : 
So  dear  I  love  him,  that  with  him  all  deatha 
I  could  endure,  without  him  live  no  life." 

So  saying,  from  the  tree  her  step  she  turned, 
But  first  low  reverence  done,  as  to  the  power 
That  dwelt  within,  whose  presence  had  infused 
Into  the  plant  sciential  sap,  derived 
From  nectar,  drink  of  gods.     Adam  the  while, 
Waiting  desirous  her  return,  had  wove 
Of  choicest  flowers  a  garland  to  adorn 
Her  tresses,  and  her  rural  labours  crown, 
As  reapers  oft  are  wont  their  harvest  queen. 
Great  joy  he  promised  to  his  thoughts,  and  new 
Solace  in  her  return,  so  long  delayed  ; 
Yet  oft  his  heart,  divine  of  something  ill. 
Misgave  him  ;  he  the  faltering  measure  felt; 
And  forth  to  meet  her  went,  the  way  she  took 
That  morn  when  first  they  parted  ;  by  the  treo 
Of  knowledge  he  must  pass,  there  he  her  met, 
Scarce  from  the  tree  returning;  in  her  hand 
A  bough  of  fairest  fruit,  that  downy  smiled, 
New  gathered,  and  ambrosial  smell  diffused. 
To  him  she  hasted  ;  in  her  face  excuse 


214  PARADISE    LOST. 

Came  prologue,  and  apology  too  prompt, 

Which  with  bland  words  at  will  she  thus  addressed : 

"  Hast  thou  not  wondered,  Adam,  at  my  stay? 
Thee  I  have  missed,  and  thought  it  long  deprived 
Thy  presence;  agony  of  love  till  now 
Not  felt,  nor  shall  be  twice;  for  never  more 
Mean  I  to  try,  what  rash  untried  I  sought. 
The  pain  of  absence  from  thy  sight.     But  strange 
Hath  been  the  cause,  and  wonderful  to  hear: 
This  tree  is  not,  as  we  are  told,  a  tree 
Of  danger  tasted,  nor  to  evil  unknown 
Opening  the  way,  but  of  divine  effect 
To  open  eyes,  and  make  them  gods  who  taste ; 
And  hath  been  tasted  such :  the  serpent  wise, 
Or  not  restrained  as  we,  or  not  obeying, 
Hath  eaten  of  the  fruit,  and  is  become. 
Not  dead,  as  we  are  threatened,  but  thenceforth 
Endued  with  human  voice  and  human  sense. 
Reasoning  to  admiration  ;  and  with  me 
Persuasively  hath  so  prevailed,  that  I 
Have  also  tasted,  and  have  also  found 
The  effects  to  correspond  :  opener  mine  eyes, 
Dim  erst,  dilated  spirits,  ampler  heart, 
And  growing  up  to  godhead,  which  for  thee 
Chieriy  I  sought,  without  thee  can  despise. 
For  bliss,  as  thou  hast  part,  to  me  is  bliss; 
Tedious,  unshared  with  thee,  and  odious  soon. 
Thou  therefore  also  taste,  that  equal  lot 
May  join  us,  equal  joy  as  equal  love ; 
Lesl,  thou  not  tasting,  different  degree 
Disjoin  us,  and  I  then,  too  late,  renounce 
Deity  for  thee,  when  fate  will  not  ];)ermit." 

Thus  Eve,  with  countenance  blithe,  her  story  told ; 
But  in  her  cheek  distemper  flushing  glowed. 
On  the  other  side,  Adam,  soon  as  he  heard 
The  fatal  trespass  done  by  Eve,  amazed, 
Astonied  stood  and  blank,  Avhile  horror  chill 
Ran  through  his  veins,  and  all  his  joints  relaxed ; 
From  his  slack  hand  the  garland  wreathed  for  Eve 
Down  dropped,  and  all  the  faded  roses  shed. 


PABADTSB    LOST.  215 

Speechless  ho  stood  and  pale,  till  thus  at  length 
First  to  himself  he  inward  silence  broke  • 

"  O  fairest  of  creation,  last  and  best 
Of  all  God's  works,  creature  in  whom  excelled 
Whatever  can  to  sight  or  thought  be  formed, 
Holy,  divine,  good,  amiable,  or  sweet, 
How  art  thoulost !  how  on  a  sudden  lost, 
Defaced,  deflowered,  and  now  to  death  devote  ! 
Rather,  how  hast  thou  yielded  to  transgress 
Tlie  strict  forbiddance,  how  to  violate 
The  sacred  fruit  forbidden !     Some  cursed  fraud 
Of  enemy  hath  beguiled  thee,  yet  unknown, 
And  me  with  thee  hath  ruined,  for  with  thee 
Certain  ray  resolution  is  to  die  ; 
How  can  I  live  without  thee?  how  forego 
Thy  sweet  converse  and  love  so  dearly  joined. 
To  live  again  in  tliese  wild  woods  forlorn  ? 
Should  God  create  another  Eve,  and  I 
Another  rib  afford,  yet  loss  of  thee 
Would  never  from  my  heart ;  no,  no  !  I  feel 
The  link  of  nature  draw  me ;  flesh  of  flesh. 
Bone  of  my  bone  thou  art,  and  from  thy  state 
Mine  never  shall  be  parted,  bliss  or  woe." 

So  having  said,  as  one  from  sad  dismay 
Recomforted,  and  after  thoughts  disturbed 
Submitting  to  what  seemed  remediless. 
Thus  in  calm  mood  his  words  to  Eve  he  turned  : 

"  Bold  deed  thou  hast  presumed,  adventurous  Eve, 
And  peril  great  provoked,  who  thus  hast  dared, 
Had  it  been  only  coveting  to  eye 
That  sacred  fruit,  sacred  to  abstinence  ; 
Much  more  to  taste  it  under  ban  to  touch. 
But  past  who  can  recall,  or  done  undo? 
Not  God  omnipotent,  nor  fate  ;  yet  so 
Perhajis  thou  shalt  not  die,  perhaps  the  fact 
Is  not  so  heinous  now,  foretasted  fruit. 
Profaned  first  by  the  serpent,  by  him  first 
Made  common  and  unhallowed  ere  our  taste  ; 
Nor  yet  on  him  found  deadly;  he  yet  lives  ; 
Lives,  as  thou  saidst,  and  gains  to  live,  as  man, 


21 G  PARADIf3E    LOST. 

ITigber  degree  of  life  :  inducement  strong 

To  us,  as  likely  tasting  to  attain 

Proportional  ascent,  Avhich  cannot  be 

But  to  be  gods,  or  angels,  derai-gods. 

Nor  can  I  think  that  God,  Creator  wise, 

Though  threatening,  will  in  earnest  so  destroy 

lis  his  prime  creatures,  dignified  so  high, 

Set  over  all  his  works,  which  in  oiir  fall, 

For  us  created,  needs  with  us  must  fail, 

Dependent  made;  so  God  shall  uncreate, 

Be  frustrate,  do,  undo,  and  labour  lose  : 

Not  well  conceived  of  God,  who,  though  his  power 

Creation  could  repeat,  yet  wovild  be  loth 

Us  to  abolish,  lest  the  adversary 

Triumph  and  say,  '  Fickle  their  state  whom  God 

Most  favours  ;  who  can  please  him  long  ?     Me  first 

He  ruined,  now  mankind;  whom  will  he  next?' 

Matter  of  scorn,  not  to  be  given  the  foe. 

However,  I  with  thee  have  fixed  my  lot, 

Certain  to  undergo  like  doom  ;  if  death 

Consort  M'ith  thee,  death  is  to  me  as  life; 

So  forcible  within  my  heart  I  feel 

The  bond  of  nature  draw  me  to  my  own. 

My  own  in  thee,  for  what  thou  art  is  mine ; 

Our  state  cannot  be  severed  ;  we  are  one, 

One  flesh  ;  to  lose  thee  were  to  lose  myself." 

So  Adam,  and  thus  Eve  to  him  replied  : 
"  O  glorious  trial  of  exceeding  love. 
Illustrious  evidence,  example  high  ! 
Engaging  me  to  emulate;  but,  short 
Of  "thy  perfection,  how  shall  I  attain, 
Adam,  from  whose  dear  side  I  boast  me  sprung? 
And  gladly  of  our  union  hear  thee  sjieak. 
One  heart,  one  soul  in  botli ;  whereof  good  proof 
This  day  affords,  declaring  thee  resolved, 
Kather  than  death,  or  aught  than  death  more  dread, 
Shall  separate  us,  linked  in  love  so  dear. 
To  undergo  Avith  me  one  guilt,  one  crime, 
If  any  be,  of  tasting  this  fair  fruit. 
Whose  virtue  (for  of  good  still  good  proceeds, 


PAKADlSli    LOST.  217 

Direct,  or  by  occasion)  liath  presented 

This  liiii)i)y  trial  of  tliy  love,  which  else 

80  eminently  never  had  been  known. 

AVere  it  I  thought  death  menaced  would  ensue 

This  my  attempt,  I  would  sustain  alone 

The  worst,  and  not  persuade  thee  ;  rather  die 

Deserted,  than  oblige  thee  with  a  fact 

Pernicious  to  thy  peace,  chicily  assured, 

Tvcmarkably  so  late  of  thy  so  true. 

So  faithful  love  unequalled  :  but  I  feel 

Far  otherwise  the  event;  not  death,  but  life 

Augmented,  opened  eyes,  new  hopes,  new  joys, 

Taste  so  divine,  that  what  of  sweet  before 

Hath  touclied  my  sense,  tlat  seems  to  this  and  harsh. 

On  my  experience,  Adam,  freejy  taste. 

And  fear  of  death  deliver  to  the  winds." 

So  saying,  she  embraced  him,  and  for  joy 
Tenderly  wept ;  much  Avon,  tliat  he  his  love 
Had  so  ennobled,  as  of  choice  to  incur 
Divine  displeasure  for  her  sake,  or  death. 
In  recompense  (for  such  compliance  bad 
Such  recompense  best  merits)  from  the  bough 
She  gave  him  of  that  fair  enticing  fruit 
With  liberal  hand  :  he  scrupled  not  to  eat, 
Against  his  better  knowledge  ;  not  deceived, 
But  fondly  overcome  with  female  charm. 
Earth  trembled  from  her  entrails,  as  again 
In  pangs,  and  nature  gave  a  second  groan  ; 
Sky  loured  ;  and,  muttering  thunder,  some  sad  drops 
Wept  at  com])leting  of  the  mortal  sin 
Original ;  while  Adam  took  no  thought, 
Eating  his  till,  nor  Eve  to  iterate 
Her  former  trespass  feared,  the  more  to  soothe 
Him  with  her  loved  society  ;  that  now, 
As  with  new  wine  intoxicated  both, 
They  swim  in  mirth,  and  fancy  that  they  feel 
Divinity  within  tliem  breeding  win«;s 
Wherewith  to  seorn  the  earth  :  but  that  false  fruit 
Far  other  operation  first  displayed. 
Carnal  desire  iutlaming ;  he  on  Eve 


218  TARADISE    LOST. 

Began  to  cast  lascivious  eyes,  she  him 
As  wantonly  repaid  ;  in  lust  they  burn  : 
Till  Adam  thus  'gan  Eve  to  dalliance  move: 

"  Eve,  now  I  see  thoii  art  exact  of  taste, 
And  elegant,  of  sapience  no  small  part, 
Since  to  each  meaning  savour  we  apply, 
And  palate  call  judicious  :  I  the  praise 
Yield  thee,  so  well  this  day  thou  hast  purveyed. 
Much  pleasure  we  have  lost,  while  we  abstained 
From  this  delightful  fruit,  nor  known  till  now 
True  relish,  tasting ;  if  such  ])leasure  be 
In  things  to  us  forbidden,  it  might  be  wished 
For  this  one  tree  had  been  forbidden  ten. 
But  come,  so  well  i-efreshed,  now  let  us  play, 
As  meet  is,  after  such  delicious  fare  ; 
For  never  did  thy  beauty,  since  the  day 
I  saw  thee  first  and  wedded  thee,  adorned 
With  all  perfections,  so  inflame  my  sense 
With  ardour  to  enjoy  thee,  fairer  now 
Than  ever,  bounty  of  this  virtuous  tree." 

So  said  he,  and  forbore  not  glance  or  toy 
Of  amorous  intent,  well  understood 
Of  Eve,  Avhose  eye  darted  contagious  fire. 
Her  hand  he  seized,  and  to  a  shady  bank, 
Thick  over-head  with  verdant  roof  embowered. 
He  led  her  nothing  loth  ;  flowers  were  the  couck, 
Pansies,  and  violets,  and  asphodel. 
And  hyacinth,  earth's  freshest,  softest  lap. 
There  they  their  fill  of  love  and  love's  disport 
Took  largely,  of  their  mutual  guilt  the  seal, 
The  solace  of  their  sin  ;  till  dewy  sleep 
Oppressed  them,  Avearied  with  their  amorous  play. 

Soon  as  the  force  of  that  fallacious  fruit, 
That  Avith  exhilarating  vapour  bland 
About  their  spirits  had  played,  and  inmost  powers 
Made  err,  was  now  exhaled  ;  and  grosser  sleep. 
Bred  of  unkindly  fumes,  with  conscious  dreams 
P^ncumbered,  now  had  left  them ;  uj)  they  rose 
As  from  unrest,  and  each  the  other  viewing. 
Soon  found  their  eyes  how  opened,  and  their  minds 


PARADISE    LOST.  219 

ITow  dnrkeiicd  ;  iim-oconcc,  tliat  as  a  veil 

Had  sliadowed  tlieiii  from  knowing  ill,  was  gone, 

.lust  confidence,  and  native  rigliteousness, 

And  lionour  from  about  them,  naked  left 

To  guilty  sliame  ;  hr.  covered,  but  his  robe 

Uncovered  more.     So  rose  tiie  I^unite  strong, 

Herculean  Samson,  from  the  liarlot-lap 

Of  Philistcan  ])alilali,  and  waked 

Shorn  of  liis  strength ;  they  destitute  and  bare 

Of  all  tlieir  viilue  :  silent,  and  in  face 

Confounded,  hmg  they  sat,  as  strucken  mute ; 

Till  Adam,  tliough  not  less  than  Eve  abashed, 

At  length  gave  utterance  to  these  words  constrained: 

"  O  Eve  !  in  evil  liour  thou  didst  give  ear 
To  that  false  worm,  of  whomsoever  taught 
To  counterfeit  man's  voice,  true  in  our  fall, 
False  in  our  ])roraised  rising  ;  since  our  eyes 
Opened  Ave  find  indeed,  and  find  we  know 
Both  good  and  evil ;  good  lost,  and  evil  got: 
Bad  fruit  of  knowledge,  if  this  be  to  know, 
Which  leaves  us  naked  thus,  of  honour  void, 
Of  innocence,  of  faith,  of  purity, 
Our  wonted  ornaments  now  soiled  and  stained, 
And  in  our  faces  evident  the  signs 
Of  foul  concu])iscence  ;  whence  evil  store; 
Even  shame,  the  last  of  evils;  of  the  first 
Be  sure  then.     He  shall  I  behold  the  face 
Henceforth  of  God  or  angel,  erst  with  joy 
And  rapture  so  oft  beheld  ?  those  heavenly  shapes 
"Will  dazzle  now  this  earthly  with  their  blaze 
Insufferably  briglit.     Oh  !  might  I  here 
In  solitude  live  savage,  in  some  glade 
Obscured,  where  highest  woods,  impenetrable 
To  star  or  sunlight,  spread  their  umbrage  broad 
And  brown  as  evening:  cover  me,  ye  ])iues  ! 
Ve  cedars,  with  innumerable  boughs 
Hide  me,  where  I  niay  never  see  them  more ! 
But  let  us  now,  as  in  bad  j)llght,  devise 
What  best  may  for  the  ])resent  serve  to  liidc 
The  ])arts  of  each  from  other,  tluit  seem  most 


220  PARADISE    LOST. 

To  shame  obnoxious,  and  unsceniliest  seen ; 
Some  tree,  Avliose  broad  smooth  leaves  together  sewed, 
And  girded  on  our  loins,  may  cover  round 
Those  middle  parts,  that  this  new  comer,  shame, 
There  sit  not,  and  reproach  us  as  unclean." 
So  counselled  he,  and^both  together  went 
Into  the  thickest  wood  ;  there  soon  they  chose 
The  fig-tree,  not  that  kind  for  fruit  renowned, 
But  such  as  at  this  day  to  Indians  known 
In  Malabar  or  Deccan  spreads  her  arras 
Branching  so  broad  and  long,  that  in  the  ground 
The  bended  twigs  take  root,  and  daughters  grow 
About  the  mother  tree,  a  pillared  shade 
High  overarched,  and  echoing  walks  between  ; 
There  oft  the  Indian  herdsman,  shunning  heat. 
Shelters  ni  cool,  and  tends  his  pasturing  herds 
At  loopholes  cut  through  thickest  shade :  those  leaves 
They  gathered,  broad  as  Amazonian  targe, 
And,  with  what  skill  they  had,  together  sewed, 
To  gird  their  waist :  vain  covering,  if  to  hide 
Their  guilt  and  dreaded  shame  !     Ob,  how  unlike 
To  that  first  naked  glory !     Such  of  late 
Columbus  found  the  American,  so  girt 
With  feathered  cincture,  naked  else  and  wild 
Among  the  trees  on  isles  and  woody  shores. 
Thus  fenced,  and  as  they  thought,  their  shame  in  part 
Covered,  but  at  not  rest  or  ease  of  mind, 
They  sat  them  down  to  weep  ;  nor  only  tears 
Rained  at  their  eyes,  but  high  winds  worse  within 
Began  to  rise,  high  passions,  anger,  hate. 
Mistrust,  suspicion,  discord  ;  and  shook  sore 
Their  inward  state  of  mind,  calm  region  once 
And  full  of  peace,  now  tossed  and  turbulent; 
For  understanding  ruled  not,  and  the  will 
Heard  not  her  lore,  both  in  subjection  now 
To  sensual  a})petite,  who  from  beneath 
Usuri)ing  over  sovran  reason  claimed 
Superior  sway.     From  thus  distem])ered  breast, 
Adam,  estranged  in  look  and  altered  style, 
Speech  intermitted  thus  to  Eve  renewed: 


PARADISE    LOST.  J".  I 

'*  Would  thou  liadstlicnrkened  to  my  words,  nriu  r-tayed 
With  me,  as  I  bcsouglit  thee,  Mhen  tliat  stranjre 
Desire  of  wandering,  tliis  unha])))y  morn, 
I  know  not  whence  possessed  thee  ;  we  had  then 
Remained  still  happy,  not  as  now,  despoiled 
Ot;  all  our  good,  shamed,  naked,  miserable. 
I-(\t  none  henceforth  seek  needless  cause  to  approve 
The  faith  they  owe  ;  when  earnestly  they  seek 
Such  proof,  conclude,  they  then  begin  to  fail." 

To  whom,  soon  moved  with  touch  of  blame,  thus  Eve : 
"  What  words  have  passed  thy  lijis  ?    Adam  severe, 
Imput'st  thou  that  to  my  default,  or  will 
Of  wandering,  as  thou  call'st  it,  which,  who  knows 
But  might  as  ill  have  happened  thou  being  by. 
Or  to  thyself,  perhaps?     Hadst  thou  been  there, 
Or  here  the  attempt,  tliou  couldst  not  have  discerned 
Fraud  in  the  serpent,  speaking  as  he  spake  ; 
No  ground  of  enmity  between  us  known. 
Why  he  should  mean  me  ill,  or  seek  to  harm  ? 
Was  I  to  have  never  parted  from  thy  side  ? 
As  good  have  grown  there  still  a  lifeless  rib. 
Being  as  I  am,  why  didst  not  thou,  the  head, 
Command  me  absolutely  not  to  go. 
Going  into  such  danger  as  thou  saidst  ? 
Too  facile  then,  thou  didst  not  much  gainsay. 
Nay,  didst  permit,  approve,  and  fair  dismiss'. 
Hadst  thou  been  firm  and  fixed  in  tliy  dissent, 
Neither  had  I  transgressed,  nor  thou  with  me." 

To  whom,  then  first  incensed,  Adam  replied: 
"Is  tiiis  the  love,  is  this  the  recompense 
Of  mine  to  thee,  ungrateful  Eve !  expressed 
Immutable  when  thou  wert  lost,  not  I, 
Who  might  have  lived  and  joyed  immortal  bliss, 
Yet  willingly  chose  rather  death  with  thee? 
And  am  I  now  upbraided  as  the  cause 
Of  thy  transgressing?     Not  enough  severe. 
It  seems,  in  thy  restraint :  Avhat  could  I  more? 
I  warned  thee,  I  admonished  thee,  foretold 
The  danger,  and  tin;  lurking  enemy 
That  lay  in  wait;  beyond  this  had  been  force, 


222  PARADISE    LOST. 

And  force  upon  free  will  liath  here  no  place. 
But  confidence  then  bore  thee  on,  secure 
Either  to  meet  no  danger,  or  to  find 
Matter  of  gloi'ious  trial;  and  perhaps 
I  also  erred  in  overmuch  admiring 
What  seemed  in  thee  so  perfect,  that  I  thought 
No  evil  durst  attempt  thee  ;  but  I  rue 
That  error  now,  which  is  become  my  crime, 
And  thou  the  accuser.     Thus  it  shall  befall 
Him  who,  to  worth  in  woman  overtrusting. 
Lets  her  will  rule ;  restraint  she  will  not  brook; 
And,  left  to  herself,  if  evil  thence  ensue, 
She  first  his  weak  indulgence  will  accuse." 

Thus  they  in  mutual  accusation  spent 
The  fruitless  hours,  but  neither  self  condemning, 
And  of  their  vain  contest  appeared  no  end. 


PARADISE   LOST.  223 


BOOK  X. 


THE   ARGUMENT. 

Man's  transsressiou  Icnown,  the  snardiaii  augels  forsake  Paradise,  and 
return  \\p  to  Heaven  to  approve  tlieir  vif;ilance,  and  are  approved;  God 
declaring  tliat  tlie  entrance  of  Satan  could  not  by  them  be  prevented.  He 
fiends  his  Son  to  judge  the  transgressors,  who  descends,  and  gives  sen- 
tence accordingly ;  then  in  pity  clothes  them  both,  and  reascends.  Sin 
and  Death,  sitting  till  then  at  the  gates  of  Hell,  by  wondious  symjiatliy 
feeling  tlie  success  of  Satan  in  this  new  world,  and  the  sin  by  man  tliere 
committed,  resolve  to  sit  no  longer  confined  in  Hell,  but  to  follow  Satan, 
tlieir  sire,  u))  to  the  i)iace  of  man.  To  make  the  way  easier  from  Hell  to 
tills  world,  to  and  fro,  they  ])ave  a  broad  highway  or  bridge  over  Chaos, 
according  to  the  track  that  Satan  first  made;  then  inejiaring  for  earth, 
they  meet  him,  proud  of  liis  success,  returning  to  Hell;  their  mutual 
gratulation.  Satan  arrives  at  Pandemonium;  in  full  assembly  relates 
his  success  against  man;  instead  of  ajipianse  is  treated  with  a  general  hiss 
by  all  his  audience,  transformed  with  himself  also  suddenly  into  ser- 
jients,  according  to  his  doom  given  in  Paradise;  then  deluded  witii  a 
show  of  the  forbidden  tree  springing  up  before  them,  they,  greedily 
reaching  to  take  off  the  fruits,  cliew  dust  and  bitter  ashes.  The  proceed- 
ings of  Sin  and  Death;  God  foretells  the  final  victory  of  his  Son  over 
them,  and  the  renewing  of  all  things;  but  for  the  i)resent  commands  his 
angels  to  make  several  alteratir.ns  in  the  heavens  .and  elements.  Adam 
more  and  more  perceiving  his  fallen  condition,  heavily  bewails,  rejects 
the  condolement  of  Eve;  she  persists,  and  at  length  appeases  him;  then, 
to  evade  the  curse  likely  to  fall  on  £lieir  offspring,  proposes  to  Adam  vio- 
lent ways,  which  he  approves  not,  but,  conceiving  better  liope,  puts  her 
in  mind  of  the  late  promise  made  them,  that  her  seed  should  be  revenged 
on  the  serjient,  and  e.\horts  her  with  liim  to  seek  peace  of  the  offended 
Deity,  by  repentance  and  su[)plication. 

Meanwhile  the  heinous  and  despiteful  act 

Of  Satan  done  in  Paradise,  and  how 

He,  in  the  serpent,  had  perverted  Eve, 

Her  luisband  she,  to  taste  tlie  fatal  fruit, 

Was  known  in  Heaven  ;  for  what  can  'scape  the  ey<? 

Of  God  all-seeing,  or  deceive  his  heart 

Omniscient  ?  who,  in  all  things  -wise  and  just, 

Hindered  not  Satan  to  attempt  the  mind 

Of  man,  with  strength  entire,  and  free-will  armed, 


224  PARAOTSE    LOST. 

Complete  to  have  cliscoverecl  and  repulsed 

Whatever  wiles  of  foe  or  seeming  friend. 

For  still  they  knew,  and  ought  to  have  still  remembered 

The  high  injunction  not  to  taste  that  fruit, 

Whoever  tempted  ;  which  they  not  obeying. 

Incurred  (what  could  they  less  ?)  the  penalty; 

And,  manifold  in  sin,  deserved  to  fall. 

Up  into  Pleaven  from  Paradise  in  liaste 

The  angelic  guards  ascended,  mute  and  sad 

For  man,  for  of  his  state  by  this  they  knew, 

Much  wonderiner  how  the  subtle  fiend  had  stolen 

Entrance  xmsecn.     Soon  as  the  unwelcome  news 

From  earth  arrived  at  Heaven-gate,  displeased 

All  were  who  heard  ;  dim  sadness  did  not  spare 

That  time  celestial  visages,  yet,  mixed 

With  pity,  violated  not  their  bliss. 

About  the  new-arrived,  in  multitudes 

The  ethereal  people  ran,  to  hear  and  know 

How  all  befell :  they  towards  the  throne  supreme 

Accountable  made  haste  to  make  appear 

With  righteous  plea  their  utmost  vigilance. 

And  easily  approved  ;  Avhen  the  most  High, 

Eternal  Father,  from  his  secret  cloud. 

Amidst  in  thunder  uttered  thus  his  voice  : 

"  Assembled  angels,  and  ye  powers  returned 
From  unsuccessful  charge,  be  not  dismayed 
Nor  troubled  at  these  tidings  from  the  earth. 
Which  your  sincerest  care  could  not  prevent, 
Foretold  so  lately  what  would  come  to  pass. 
When  first  this  tempter  crossed  the  gulf  from  HelL 
I  told  ye  then  he  should  prevail  and  speed 
On  his  bad  errand,  man  should  be  seduced 
And  flattered  out  of  all,  believing  lies 
Against  his  Maker  ;  no  decree  of  mine 
Concurring  to  necessitate  his  fall, 
Or  touch  with  lightest  moment  of  im]>ulse 
Plis  free  will,  to  her  own  inclining  left 
In  even  scale.     But  fallen  he  is,  and  now 
What  rests,  but  that  the  mortal  sentence  pass 
On  his  trangression,  death  denounced  that  day? 


PAKADISE    LOtiT.  2'/i5 

Whicli  he  presumes  already  vain  and  void, 

Because  not  yet  inflicted,  as  he  feared. 

By  some  immediate  stroke  ;  but  soon  shall  find 

Foi-benrance  no  acquittance  ere  day  end. 

Justice  shall  not  return  as  bounty  scorned. 

But  Avhoni  send  I  to  judge  them  ?  whom  but  thee, 

Vicereocnt  Son?     To  tlioe  I  have  transferred 

All  judgment  whether  in  Heaven,  or  Earth,  or  Hell. 

Easy  it  may  be  seen  that  I  intend  ■ 

Mercy  colleague  with  justice,  sending  thee 

Man's  friend,  his  Mediator,  his  designed 

Both  ransom  and  Redeemer  voluntary, 

And  destined  man  himself  to  judge  man  fallen." 

So  spake  the  Father,  and  unfolding  bright 
Toward  the  right  hand  his  glory,  on  the  Son 
Blazed  forth  unclouded  Deity;  he  full 
Res]ilendent  all  his  Father  manifest 
Expressed,  and  thus  divinely  answered  mild  : 

"Father  eternal,  thine  is  to  decree. 
Mine  both  in  Heaven  and  earth  to  do  thy  will 
Supreme,  that  thou  in  me  thy  Son  beloved 
Mayst  ever  rest  well  pleased.     I  go  to  judge 
On  earth  these  thy  trangressors ;  but  thou  know'st, 
Whoever  judged,  the  worst  on  me  must  light,' 
When  time  shall  be,  for  so  I  undertook 
Before  thee  ;  and  not  repenting,  this  obtain 
Of  right,  that  I  may  mitigate  their  doom 
On  me  derived  ;  yet  I  shall  temper  so 
Justice  with  mercy,  as  may  illustrate  most 
Them  fully  satisfied,  and  thee  appease. 
Attendance  none  shall  need,  nor  train,  where  none 
Are  to  behold  the  judgment,  but  the  judged, 
Those  two  ;  the  third  best  absent  is  condemned, 
Convict  by  flight,  and  rebel  to  all  law  : 
Conviction  to  the  serjient  none  belongs." 

Thus  saying,  from  his  radiant  seat  he  rose 
Of  high  collateral  glory  :  him  thrones  and  powers, 
Princedoms,  and  dominations  ministrant, 
Accompanied  to  Heaven-gate,  from  whence 
Eden  and  all  the  coast  in  prospect  lay. 

15 


2'2G  PARAmSK    l,OST. 

Down  lie  descended  straight;  tlie  speed  of  gods 

Time  counts  not,  though  with  swiftest  minutes  winged. 

NoAV  Avas  the  sun  in  western  cadence  low 

From  noon,  and  gentle  airs,  due  at  their  hour. 

To  fan  the  earth  now  waked,  and  usher  in 

The  evening  cool,  when  he,  from  wrath  more  cool, 

Came  the  mild  Judge  and  Intercessor  both, 

To  sentence  man  :  the  voice  of  God  tliey  heard 

Now  walkmg  in  the  garden,  by  soft  Avindg 

Brought  to  their  ears,  while  day  declined  ;  they  beard, 

And  from  his  presence  hid  themselves  among 

The  thickest  trees,  both  man  and  Avife  ;  till  God, 

Approaching,  thus  to  Adam  called  aloud  : 

"  Wliere  art  thou,  Adam,  Avont  Avith  joy  to  meet 
My  coming  seen  far  off?     I  miss  thee  here, 
Not  pleased,  thus  entertained  Avith  solitude. 
Where  obvious  duty  ercAvhile  appeared  unsought : 
Or  come  I  less  consjncuous,  or  Avhat  change 
Absents  thee,  or  M'hat  chance  detains?     Come  forth  !" 

He  came,  and  Avith  him  Eve,  more  loth,  though  first 
To  offend  ;  discountenanced  both,  and  discomposed  ; 
LoA^e  Avas  not  in  their  looks,  either  to  God 
Or  to  each  other,  but  apparent  guilt, 
And  shamP,  and  perturbation,  and  despair. 
Anger  and  obstinacy,  and  hate  and  guile. 
Whence  Adam,  faltering  long,  thus  ansAvered  brief: 

"  I  heard  thee  in  the  garden,  and  of  thy  voice 
Afraid,  being  naked,  hid  myself."     To  Avljom 
The  gracious  Judge  Avithout  revile  replied  : 

"  My  voice  thou  oft  hast  heard,  and  hast  not  feared, 
But  still  rejoiced  ;  how  is  it  noAV  })ecome 
So  dreadful  to  thee?     That  thou  art  naked,  who 
Hath  told  thee  ?     Hast  thou  eaten  of  the  tree 
Whereof  I  gave  thee  charge  thou  shouldst  not  eat?" 

To  whom  thus  Adam,  sore  beset,  replied  : 
"  O  Heaven  !  in  evil  strait  this  day  I  stand 
Before  my  Judge,  either  to  undergo 
Myself  the  total  crime,  or  to  accuse 
My  other  self,  the  ])artner  of  my  life ; 
Whose  failing,  Avhile  her  faith  to  me  remains, 


PARADISE    LOST.  ZZi 

I  should  conceal,  and  not  expose  to  blame 

By  my  complaint ;  but  strict  necessity 

Subdues  me,  and  calamitous  constraint, 

Lest  on  my  head  both  sin  and  punishment, 

However  insupportable,  be  all 

Devolved  ;  though  should  I  hold  my  peace,  yet  thou 

Wouldst  easily  detect  what  I  conceal. 

This  \voman,  whom  thou  mad'st  to  be  my  help, 

And  giv'st  me  as  thy  perfect  gift  so  good. 

So  fit,  so  acceptable,  so  divine, 

Tiuit  from  her  hand  I  could  suspect  no  ill, 

And  what  she  did,  whatever  in  itself, 

Her  doing  seemed  to  justify  the  deed  : 

She  gave  me  of  the  ti-ee,  and  I  did  eat." 

To  whom  the  sovran  Presence  thus  replied : 
"  "Was  she  thy  God,  that  her  thou  didst  obey 
Before  his  voice  ?  or  was  she  made  thy  guide, 
Superior,  or  but  equal,  that  to  her 
Thou  didst  resign  thy  manhood,  and  the  place 
Wherein  God  set  thee  above  her  made  of  thee, 
And  for  thee,  whose  perfection  far  extielled 
Hers  in  all  real  dignity  ?     Adorned 
She  was  indeed,  and  lovely  to  attract 
Thy  love,  not  thy  subjection ;  and  her  gifts 
Were  such  as  under  government  well  seemed; 
Unseemly  to  bear  rule,  which  was  thy  part 
And  person,  hadst  thou  known  thyself  aright." 

So  having  said,  he  thus  to  Eve  in  few  : 
*'  Say,  woman,  what  is  this  whicl^  thou  hast  done  ?" 

To  Avhom  sad  Eve,  with  shame  nigh  overwhelmed^ 
Confessing  soon,  yet  not  before  her  Judge 
Bold  or  loquacious,  thus  abashed  replied  : 
"  The  serpent  me  beguiled,  and  I  did  eat." 

Which  when  the  Lord  God  heard,  without  delay 
To  judgment  he  proceeded  on  the  accused 
Serpent,  though  brute,  unable  to  transfer 
The  guilt  on  him  who  made  him  in.strument 
Of  mischief,  and  polluted  from  the  end 
Of  his  creation,  justly  then  accursed. 
As  vitiated  in  nature  :  more  to  know 


223  PARADISE    LOST. 

Concerned  not  man  (since  lie  no  further  knew), 
Nor  altered  his  offence  ;  yet  God  at  last 
To  Sataii,  first  in  sin,  his  doom  applied, 
Though  in  mysterious  terms,  judged  as  then  best; 
And  un  the  ser])ent  thus  his  curse  let  fall : 

"  Because  thou  hast  done  this,  thou  art  accursed 
Above  all  cattle,  each  beast  of  the  field  ; 
Upon  thy  belly  grovelling  thou  shalt  go, 
And  dust  shalt  eat  all  the  days  of  thy  life. 
Between  thee  and  the  woman  I  will  put 
Enmity,  and  between  thine  and  her  seed  ; 
Her  seed  shall  bruise  thy  head,  thou  bruise  his  heel." 

So  spake  this  oracle,  then  verified 
When  Jesus,  son  of  Mary,  second  Eve, 
Saw  Satan  fall  like  lightning  down  from  Heaven, 
Prince  of  the  air  ;  then  rising  from  his  gi-ave. 
Spoiled  principalities  and  powers,  triumphed 
In  open  show,  and  with  ascension  bright 
Captivity  led  captive  through  the  air, 
The  realm  itself  of  Satan  long  usurped, 
Whom  he  shall  tread  at  last  under  our  feet ; 
Even  he,  who  now  foretold  his  fatal  bruise ; 
And  to  the  woman  thus  his  sentence  turned : 

"  Thy  sorrow  I  will  greatly  multiply 
By  thy  conception  ;  children  thou  shalt  bring 
In  sorrow  foith ;  and  to  thy  husband's  will 
Thine  shall  submit :  he  over  thee  shall  rule." 

On  Adam  last  thus  judgment  he  pronounced : 
"  Because  thou  hast  hearkened  to  the  voice  of  thy  wife, 
And  eaten  of  the  tree  concerning  which 
I  charged  thee,  saying,  '  Thou  shalt  not  eat  thereof,' 
Cursed  is  the  ground  for  thy  sake :  thou  in  sorrow 
Shalt  eat  thereof  all  the  days  of  thy  life  ; 
Thorns  also,  and  thistles,  it  shall  bring  thee  forth 
Unhid ;  and  thou  shalt  eat  the  herb  of  the  field ; 
In  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread, 
Till  thou  return  unto  the  ground ;  for  thou 
Out  of  the  ground  wast  taken,  know  thy  birth. 
For  dust  thou  ai't,  and  shalt  to  dust  return." 

So  judged  he  man,  both  Judge  and  Saviour  sent; 


PARADISE    LOST.  2il9 

And  tlie  instant  stroke  of  deatli,  denounced  tliat  day, 

Kemuved  fax-  off;  then  pitying  how  they  stood 

Before  liim  naked  to  the  air,  that  now 

Must  suffer  change,  disdained  not  to  begin 

Thenceforth  tlie  form  of  servant  to  assume, 

As  Avlien  he  washed  his  servants'  feet ;  so  now, 

As  father  of  his  family,  he  clad 

Their  nakedness  with  skins  of  beasts,  or  slain, 

Or  as  the  snake  with  youthful  coat  repaid ; 

And  thought  not  much  to  clothe  his  enemies  : 

Nor  he  their  outward  only  with  the  skins 

Of  beasts  ;  but  inward-  nakedness,  much  more 

Opprobrious,  with  his  robe  of  righteousness 

Arraying,  covered  from  his  Father's  sight. 

To  him  with  swift  ascent  he  up  returned, 

Into  his  blissful  bosom  reassumed 

In  glory  as  of  old  ;  to  him  appeased. 

All,  though  all-knowing,  what  had  passed  with  man 

Recounted,  mixing  intercession  sweet. 

Meanwhile,  ere  thus  was  sinned  and  judged  on  earth, 
Within  the  gates  of  Hell  sat  Sin  and  Death, 
In  counterview  within  the  gates,  that  now 
Stood  open  wide,  belching  outrageous  flame 
Far  into  Chaos,  since  the  Fiend  jiassed  through, 
Sin  opening ;  who  thus  now  to  Death  began  : 

"  0  son,  why  sit  we  here  each  other  viewing 
Idly,  while  Satan  our  great  author  thrives 
In  other  worlds,  and  happier  seat  provides 
For  us  his  offspring  dear  ?     It  cannot  be 
But  tliat  success  attends  him  ;  if  mishap. 
Ere  this  he  had  returned,  with  fury  driven 
By  his  avengers,  since  no  place  like  this 
Can  fit  his  ])unishment,  or  their  revenge. 
Methinks  I  feel  new  strength  within  me  rise, 
Wings  growing,  and  dominion  given  me  large 
Beyond  this  deep  ;  whatever  draws  me  on, 
Or  sympathy,  or  some  connatural  force, 
Powerful  at  greatest  distance  to  unite 
With  secret  amity  things  of  like  kind 
By  secretest  conveyance.     Thou,  my  shade 


230  I'AItADISE    LOST. 

Inseparable,  must  with  me  alonj^; 
For  Death  from  Sin  no  power  can  separate. 
But  lest  the  difficulty  of  passing  back 
Stay  his  return  pci-haps  over  this  gulf 
Impassable,  impervious,  let  us  try 
Adventurous  work,  yet  to  thy  power  and  mine 
Not  unagreeable,  to  found  a  path 
Over  tliis  main  from  Hell  to  that  new  world 
Where  Satan  now  prevails  ;  a  monument 
Of  merit  higii  to  all  the  infernal  host, 
Easing  their  passage  hence,  for  intercourse, 
Or  transmigration,  as  their  lot  shall  lead. 
Nor  can  I  miss  the  way,  so  strongly  drawn 
By  this  new-felt  attraction  and  instinct." 

Wliom  thus  tlie  meagre  shadow  answered  soon : 
•'  Go  whither  fate  and  inclination  strong- 
Lead  thee  ;  I  shall  not  lag  behind,  nor  err 
The  way,  thou  leading ;  such  a  scent  I  draw 
Of  carnage,  prey  innumerable,  and  taste 
The  savour  of  death  from  all  things  there  that  lives 
Nor  shall  I  to  the  work  thou  enterprisest 
Be  wanting,  but  afford  thee  equal  aid." 

So  saying,  with  delight  he  snuffed  the  smell 
Of  mortal  change  on  earth.     As  when  a  flock 
Of  ravenous  fowl,  though  many-a  league  remote, 
Against  the  day  of  battle,  to  a  field 
Where  armies  lie  encamped,  come  flying,  lured 
With  scent  of  living  carcasses  designed 
For  death,  the  following  day,  in  bloody  fight: 
So  scented  the  grim  feature,  and  upturned 
His  nostril  wide  into  the  murky  air, 
Sagacious  of  his  quarry  from  so  far. 
Tlien  both  from  out  Hell-gates  into  the  waste 
Wide  anarchy  of  Chaos,  damp  and  dark. 
Flew  diverse;  and  with  power  (their  power  was  great) 
Hovering  upon  the  waters,  what  they  met 
Solid  or  flimsy,  as  in  raging  sea 
Tossed  up  and  down  together,  ci'owded  drove 
From  each  side  shoalintr  towards  the  mouth  of  Hell : 
As  when  two  polar  winds,  blowmg  adverse 


PARADISR    LOST.  281 

Upon  the  Cronian  sea,  together  drive 

Mountains  of  ice,  that  stop  tlie  imagined  way 

Beyond  Petsora  eastward,  to  the  rich 

Cathaian  coast.     Tlie  aggregated  soil 

Death,  with  his  mace  petrific,  cold  and  dry, 

As  with  a  trident  smote,  and  fixed  as  firm 

As  Delos  floating  once  ;  the  rest  his  look 

Bound  with  Gorgonian  rigour  not  to  move  ; 

And  with  as])ha]tic  slime,  broad  as  the  gate, 

Deep  to  the  roots  of  Hell  the  gathered  beach 

They  fastened,  and  the  mole  immense  wrought  on 

Over  the  foaming  deep  high  arched,  a  bridge 

Of  length  prodigious,  joining  to  the  wall 

Immoveable  of  this  now  senseless  world 

Forfeit  to  Death  ;  from  hence  a  passage  broad, 

Smooth,  easy,  inoffensive,  down  to-  Hell. 

So,  if  great  tilings  to  small  may  be  compared, 

Xerxes,  the  liberty  of  Greece  to  yoke. 

From  Susa,  his  Memnonian  ]xalace  high. 

Came  to  the  sea,  and,  over  Hellespont 

Bridging  his  Avay,  Europe  with  Asia  joined. 

And  scourged  Avith  many  a  stroke  the  indignant  waves. 

Now  had  they  brought  the  work  by  wondrous  art 

Pontifical,  a  ridge  of  pendent  rock, 

Over  the  vexed  abyss,  following  the  track 

Of  Satan  to  the  self-same  place  where  he 

First  lighted  from  his  wing,  and  landed  safe 

From  out  of  Cliaos,  to  the  outside  bare 

Of  this  round  world  :  with  pins  of  adamant 

And  chains  they  made  all  fast,  too  fast  they  made, 

And  durable ;  and  now  in  little  space 

The  confines  met  of  empyrrean  Heaven, 

And  of  this  world  ;  and,  on  the  left  hand.  Hell 

With  long  reach  interposed  ;  three  several  ways 

In  sight,  to  each  of  these  three  places  led. 

And  now  their  way  to  earth  they  had  descried, 

To  Paradise  first  tending,  when  behold 

Satan,  in  likeness  of  an  angel  bright. 

Betwixt  the  Centaur  and  the  Scorpion  steering 

His  zenith,  while  the  sun  in  Aries  rose : 


•232  PARADISE    LOST. 

Disgnisecl  he  came,  but  those  his  children  dear 
Their  parent  soon  discerned,  though  in  disguise. 
He,  after  Eve  seduced,  unminded  shink 
Into  the  wood  fast  by  ;  and,  clianging  shape 
To  observe  the  sequel,  saw  his  guileful  act 
B}^  Eve,  though  all  unweeting,  seconded 
Upon  her  husband,  saw  their  shame  that  sought 
Vain  covertures  ;  but  when  he  srav  descend 
The  Son  of  God  to  judge  them,  terrified 
He  fled,  not  ho])ing  to  escape,  but  shun 
The  ]iresent,  fearing  guilty  what  his  wrath 
Might  suddenly  inflict ;  that  past,  returned 
By  night,  and  listening  where  the  hapless  pair 
Sat  in  their  sad  discourse,  and  various  plaint, 
Thence  gathered  his  own  doom,  which  understood 
Not  instant,  but  of  future  time,  Avith  joy 
And  tidings  fraught,  to  Hell  he  now  returned ; 
And  at  the  brink  of  Chaos,  near  the  foot 
Of  this  new  wondrous  pontifice,  imhoped 
Met  who  to  meet  him  came,  his  offspring  dear. 
Great  joy  was  at  their  meeting,  and  at  sight 
Of  that  stupendous  bridge  his  joy  increased. 
Long  he  admirinir  stood,  till  Sin,  his  fair 
Enchanting  daughter,  thus  the  silence  broke : 

"  O  parent,  these  are  thy  magnific  deeds, 
Thy  trophies,  which  thou  view'st  as  not  thine  own  ; 
Thou  art  their  author  and  prime  architect : 
For  I  no  sooner  in  my  heart  divined. 
My  heart,  which  by  a  secret  harmony 
Still  moves  with  thine,  joined  in  connection  sweet. 
That  thou  on  earth  hadst  prospered,  which  tliy  looks 
Now  also  evidence,  but  straight  I  felt. 
Though  distant  from  thee  worlds  between,  yet  felt 
That  I  must  after  thee  with  this  thy  son, 
Such  fatal  consequence  unites  us  three  : 
Hell  could  not  longer  hold  us  in  her  bounds, 
Nor  this  unvoyageable  gulf  obscure 
Detain  from  following  thy  illustrious  track. 
Thou  hasT^  achieved  our  liberty,  confined 
Within  Hell-fjates  till  now,  thou  us  empowered 


TARADTSE    T.08T.  233 

To  fortify  thus  far,  and  overlay 

With  this  portentous  bridge  the  dark  abyss. 

Thine  now  is  all  this  world  ;  thy  virtue  liath  won 

What  tliy  liands  builded  not,  thy  wisdom  gained 

With  odds  what  war  hath  lost,  and  fully  avenged 

Our  foil  in  Heaven  ;  here  thou  shalt  monarch  reign. 

There  didst  not ;  there  let  him  still  victor  sway, 

As  battle  hath  adjudged,  from  this  new  world 

Retiring,  by  his  own  doom  alienated  ; 

And  henceforth  monarchy  with  thee  divide, 

Of  all  things  parted  by  the  enijiyreal  bounds, 

His  quadrature,  from  thy  orbicular  world, 

Or  try  thee  now  more  dangerous  to  his  throne." 

Whom  thus  the  jirinco  of  darkness  answered  glad  ; 
"  Fair  daughter,  and  thou  son  and  grandchild  both, 
High  proof  ye  now  have  given  to  be  the  race 
Of  Satan  (for  I  glory  in  the  name. 
Antagonist  of  Heaven's  almighty  King)  ; 
Amply  have  merited  of  me,  of  all 
The  infernal  empire,  that  so  near  Heaven's  door 
Triumphal  with  triumphal  act  have  met. 
Mine,  with  this  glorious  work,  and  made  one  realm 
Hell  and  this  world,  one  realm,  one  continent 
Ot  easy  thoroughfare.     Therefore,  Avhile  I 
Descend  through  darkness,  on  your  road  with  ease, 
To  my  associate  jwwers,  them  to  acquaint 
With  these  successes,  and  with  them  rejoice ; 
You  two  this  way,  among  these  numerous  orbs 
All  yours,  right  down  to  Paradise  descend  ; 
There  dwell  and  reign  in  bliss,  thence  ou  the  earth. 
Dominion  exercise,  and  in  the  air. 
Chiefly  on  man,  sole  lord  of  all  declared ; 
Him  first  make  sure  your  thrall,  and  lastly  kills 
My  substitutes  I  send  ye,  and  create 
Plenipotent  on  earth,  of  matchless  might 
Issuing  from  me :  on  your  joint  vigour  now 
My  hold  of  this  new  kingdom  all  depends. 
Through  Sin  to  Death  exposed  by  my  exj^loit. 
If  your  joint  power  prevail,  the  affairs  of  Hell 
No  detriment  need  fear ;  go,  and  be  strong." 


284  PARADISE    LOST. 

So  saying,  he  dismissed  them ;  they  with  speed 
Their  course  through  thickest  constellations  held, 
Spreading  their  bane;  the  blasted  stars  looked  wan. 
And  planets,  plant-struck,  real  eclipse 
Then  suffered.     The  other  way  Satan  went  down 
The  causey  to  Hell  gate  ;  on  either  side 
Disparted  Chaos,  over  built,  exclaimed, 
And  with  rebounding  surge  the  bars  assailed. 
That  scorned  his  indignation  ;  through  the  gate, 
Wide  open  and  unguarded,  Satan  passed, 
And  all  about  found  desolate  ;  for  those 
Appointed  to  sit  there,  had  left  their  charge, 
Flown  to  the  iipper  world;  the  rest  were  all 
Far  to  the  inland  retired,  about  the  walls 
Of  Pandemonium,  city  and  proud  seat 
Oi  Lucifer,  so  by  allusion  called. 
Of  that  bright  star  to  Satan  paragoned. 
There  kept  their  watch  the  legions,  while  the  gi-and 
In  council  sat,  solicitous  what  chance 
Might  intercept  their  emperor  sent ;  so  he. 
Departing,  gave  command,  and  they  observed. 
As  when  the  Tartar  from  his  Russian  foe, 
By  Astracan,  over  the  snowy  plains 
Retires  ;  or  Bactrian  Sophi,  from  the  horns  - 
Of  Turkish  crescent,  leaves  all  waste  beyond 
The  realm  of  Aladule,  in  his  retreat 
To  Tauris  or  Casbeen  :  so  these,  the  late 
Heaven-banished  host,  left  desert  utmost  Hell 
Many  a  dark  league,  reduced  in  careful  watch 
Round  their  metropolis,  and  now  expecting 
Each  hour  their  great  adventurer  from  the  search 
Of  foreign  worlds ;  he  through  the  midst  unmarked, 
In  show  plebeian  angel  militant 
Of  lowest  order,  passed  ;  and  from  the  door 
Of  that  Plutonian  hall,  invisible 
Ascended  his  high  throne,  which,  under  state 
Of  richest  texture  spread,  ai  the  u))per  end 
Was  placed  in  regal  lustre.     Down  a  while 
He  sat,  and  round  about  him  saAV  unseen ; 
At  last,  as  from  a  cloud,  his  fulgent  head 


t 


PARADISE    LOST. 


2.S5 


And  snape  star-bright  appealed,  or  brignter,  clad 
With  what  permissive  glory  since  his  fall 
Was  left  him,  or  false  glitter ;  all  amazed 
At  that  so  sadden  blaze  the  Stygian  throng 
Bent  their  aspect,  and  whom  tlaey  washed  beheld, 
Their  mighty  chief  returned  :  loud  was  tlie  acclaim  : 
Forth  rush'd  in  haste  the  great  consulting  peers. 
Raised  from  their  dark  divan,  and  with  like  joy 
Congratulant  approached  him,  who  Avith  hand 
Silence,  and  with  these  Avords  attention,  won  : 

"  Thrones,  dominations,  princedoms,  virtues,  powers 
For  in  possession  such,  not  only  of  right, 
I  call  ye  and  declare  ye  now  ;  returned 
Successful  heyond  hope,  to  lead  ye  forth 
Triumphant  out  of  this  infernal  ])it 
Abominable,  accursed,  the  house  of  woe. 
And  dungeon  of  our  tyrant :  now  possess, 
As  lords,  a  spacious  world,  to  our  native  Heaven 
Little  inferior,  by  my  adventure  hard 
With  peril  great  achieved.     Long  were  to  tell 
What  I  have  done,  what  suffered,  with  Avhat  pain 
Voyaged  the  unreal,  vast,  unbounded  deep 
Of  horrible  confusion,  over  which 
By  Sin  and  Death  a  broad  way  now  is  paved 
To  expedite  yoiir  glorious  march  ;  but  I 
Toiled  out  my  uncouth  passage,  forced  to  ride 
The  untractable  abyss,  plunged  in  the  womb 
Of  unoriginal  night  and  Chaos  wild, 
That,  jealous  of  their  secrets,  fiercely  opposed 
My  journey  strange,  with  clamorous  uproar 
Protesting  Fate  supreme  ;  thence  how  I  found 
The  new-created  world,  Avhich  fame  in  Heaven 
Long  had  foretold,  a  fabric  wonderful 
Of  absolute  perfection,  therein  man 
Placed  in  a  Paradise,  by  our  exile 
Made  happy  :  him  by  fraud  I  have  seduced 
From  his  Creator,  and  the  more  to  increase 
Your  wonder,  with  an  apple  ;  He,  thereat 
Offended  (worth  your  laughter),  hath  given  up 
Both  his  beloved  man  and  all  his  world, 


236  PAKAinSK    LOST. 

To  Sin  and  Death  a  ])rc}',  and  so  to  us 

Without  our  hazard,  labour,  or  alarm, 

To  range  in,  and  to  dwell,  and  over  man 

To  rule,  as  over  all  he  should  have  ruled. 

True  is,  me  also  lie  hath  judged,  or  rather 

Me  not,  but  the  brute  serpent  in  whose  shape 

Man  I  deceived  :  that  which  to  me  belongs, 

Is  enmity,  which  he  will  put  between 

Me  and  mankind;  I  am  to  bruise  his  heel ; 

His  seed  (when,  is  not  set)  shall  bruise  my  head: 

A  world  who  would  not  purcliase  with  a  bruise, 

Or  much  more  grevious  pain?     Ye  have  the  account 

Of  my  performance  :  what  remains,  ye  gods. 

But  up  and  enter  now  into  full  bliss?" 

So  having  said,  a  while  he  stood,  expecting 
Their  universal  shout  and  high  applause 
To  fill  his  ear  ;  when,  contrary,  he  hears 
On  all  sides,  from  innumerable  tongues, 
A  dismal  universal  hiss,  the  sound 
Of  public  scorn  :  he  wondered,  but  not  long 
Had  leisure,  wondering  at  himself  now  more; 
His  visage  drawn  he  felt  to  sharp  and  spare, 
His  arms  clung  to  his  ribs,  his  legs  intwining 
Each  other,  till  supplanted  down  he  fell 
A  monstrous  serpent  on  his  belly  prone. 
Reluctant,  but  in  vain  ;  a  greater  power 
Now  ruled  him,  punished  in  the  shape  he  sinned, 
According  to  his  doom  :  he  would  have  spoke. 
But  hiss  for  hiss  returned  with  forked  tongue 
To  forked  tongue,  for  now  were  all  transformed 
Alike,  to  serpents  all,  as  accessories 
To  hi?  bold  riot :  dreadful  was  the  din 
Of  hissing  through  the  hall,  thick  swarming  now 
With  complicated  monsters  head  and  tail. 
Scorpion,  and  asp,  and  amphisbajna  dire. 
Cerastes  horned,  hydrus,  and  elops  drear. 
And  dipsas  (not  so  thick  swarmed  once  the  soil 
Bedropped  with  blood  of  Gorgon,  or  the  isle 
Ophiusa)  ;  but  still  greatest  he  the  midst. 
Now  dragon  grown,  larger  than  whom  the  sun 


PAKAUISK    I.08T.  237 

Eiicjcnderorl  in  the  Pythian  vale  on  slime, 

ITugc  Python,  and  his  power  no  less  he  seemed 

Above  the  rest  still  to  retain ;  they  all 

Ilim  followed,  issuing  forth  to  the  open  iield, 

Where  all  yet  left  of  the  revolted  rout, 

Heaven-fallen,  in  station  stood  or  just  array, 

Sublime  with  expectation,  when  to  see 

In  triumph  issuing  forth  their  glorious  chief ; 

They  saw,  but  other  sight  instead !  a  crowd 

Of  ugly  serpents  :  horror  on  them  fell, 

And  horrid  sympathy ;  for  what  they  saw, 

They  fplt  themselves  noAV  changing ;  down  their  arms, 

Down  fell  both  spear  and  shield,  down  they  as  fast, 

And  the  dire  hiss  renewed,  and  the  dire  form 

Catched  by  contagion,  like  in  punishment, 

As  in  their  crime.     Thus  was  the  applause  they  meant 

Turned  to  exploding  hiss,  triumph  to  shame 

Cast   on  themselves   from   their    own    mouths.      There 

stood 
A  grove  hard  by,  sprung  up  with  this  their  change, 
His  will  who  reigns  above,  to  aggravate 
Their  penance,  laden  with  fair  fruit,  like  that 
Which  grew  in  Paradise,'  the  bait  of  Eve 
Used  by  the  tempter :  on  that  prospect  strange 
Their  earnest  eyes  they  fixed,  imagining 
For  one  forbidden  tree  a  multitude 
Now  risen,  to  work  them  fuillier  woe  or  shame  ; 
Yet,  parched  with  scalding  thirst  and  hunger  fierce, 
Though  to  delude  them  sent,  could  not  abstain, 
But  on  they  rolled  in  heaps,  and  up  the  trees 
Climbing,  sat  thicker  than  the  snaky  locks 
That  curled  Megajra  ;  greedily  they  plucked 
The  fruitage  fair  to  sight,  like  that  which  grew 
Near  that  bituminous  lake  where  Sodom  flamed ; 
This,  more  delusive,  not  the  touch  but  taste 
Deceived  ;  they,  fondly  thinking  to  allay 
Their  appetite  with  gust,  instead  of  fruit 
Chewed  bitter  ashes,  which  the  offended  taste 
With  spattering  noise  rejected  :  oft  they  assayed, 
Hunger  and  thii'st  constraining  ;  druggod  as  oft, 


238  PARADISE    LOST. 

With  hatefiillest  disrelish  writhed  their  jaws 

With  soot  and  cinders  filled  ;  so  oft  they  fell 

Into  the  same  illusion,  not  as  man 

Whom  they  triumphed  once   lapsed.     Thus  were  they 

plagued 
And  Avorn  with  famine,  long  and  ceaseless  hiss, 
Till  their  lost  shape,  permitted,  they  resumed  ; 
Yearly  enjoined,  some  say,  to  undergo 
This  annual  humbling  certain  numbered  days, 
To  dash  their  pride,  and  joy  for  man  seduced. 
HoAvever,  some  tradition  they  dispersed 
Among  the  heathen  of  their  purchase  got, 
And  fabled  hoAV  the  serpent,  Avhom  they  called 
Ophion,  with  Eurynome,  the  wide 
j       Encroaching  Eve,  perhaps,  had  first  the  rule 
Of  high  Olympus,  thence  by  Saturn  driven, 
And  Ops,  ere  yet  Dict:ean  Joa'c  Avas  born. 

Meanwhile  in  Paradise  the  hellish  pair 
Too  soon  arrived ;  Sin,  there  in  poAver  before, 
Once  actual,  now  in  body,  and  to  dAvell 
Habitual  habitant ;  behind  her  Death 
Close  folloAving  pace  for  pace,  not  mounted  yet 
On  his  pale  horse  :  to  Avhom  Sin  thus  began : 

"  Second  of  Satan  sprung,  all-conquering  Death, 
What  think'st  thou  of  our  empire  noAV  ;  thougli  earned 
With  travel  difficult,  not  better  far 
Than  still  at  Hell's  dark  threshold  to  haA-e  sat  Avatch, 
Unnamed,  undreaded,  and  thyself  half-starved  ?  " 

Whom  thus  the  Sin-born  monster  ansAvered  soon  : 
"  To  me,  Avho  Avith  eternal  famine  pine, 
Alike  is  Hell,  or  Paradise,  or  Heaven  ; 
There  best,  Avhere  most  Avith  ravine  I  may  meet ; 
Which  here,  though  plenteous,  all  too  little  seems 
To  stuff  this  maAA^,  this  vast  unhide-bound  corps." 

To  whom  the  incestuous  mother  thus  replied  : 
"  Thou,  therefore,  on  these  herbs,  and  fruits,  and  flowers. 
Feed  first,  on  each  beast  next,  and  fish,  and  fowl. 
No  homely  morsels  ;  and  Avhatever  thing 
The  scythe  of  Time  moAvs  doAvn,  devour  unspared  ; 
Till  I,  in  man  residing,  through  the  race, 


PARABISE    LOST.  239 

His  thoughts,  his  looks,  words,  actions  all  infect, 
And  season  hini  thy  last  and  sweetest  prey." 
This  said,  they  botli  betook  them  several  ways, 
]>oth  to  destroy,  or  uninunortal  make 
All  kinds,  and  for  destruction  to  mature 
Sooner  or  later  ;  which  the  Almighty  seeing. 
From  his  transcendent  seat  the  saints  among, 
To  those  bright  orders  uttered  thus  liis  voice  : 

"  See  w  ith  what  heat  these  dogs  of  Hell  advance 
To  waste  and  havoc  yonder  world,  which  I 
So  fair  and  good  created,  and  had  still 
Ke])t  in  that  state,  had  not  the  folly  of  man 
Let  in  these  wasteful  furies,  who  impute 
Folly  to  me  ;   so  doth  the  ]u-ince  of  Hell 
And  his  adherents,  that  with  so  much  ease 
I  suffer  them  to  enter  and  possess 
A  place  so  heavenly  ;  and  conniving  seem 
To  gratify  my  scornful  enemies, 
That  laugh,  as  if,  transported  with  some  fit 
Of  passion,  I  to  them  Iiad  quitted  all. 
At  random  yielded  up  to  their  misrule ; 
And  know  not  that  I  called  and  drew  them  thither, 
My  Hell-hounds,  to  lick  up  the  draff  and  filth 
Which  m.an's  polluting  sin  with  taint  hath  shed 
On  what  was  pure,  till,  crammed  and  gorged  nigh  burst 
With  sucked  and  glutted  offal,  at  one  sling 
Of  thy  victorious  arm,  well-pleasing  Son, 
Both  Sin,  and  Death,  and  yawing  grave,  at  last 
Through  Chaos  hurled,  obstruct  the  mouth  of  Hell 
For  ever,  and  seal  up  his  ravenous  jaws. 
Then  Heaven  and  earth,  renewed,  shall  be  made  pure 
To  sanctity  that  shall  receive  no  stain  : 
Till  then  the  curse  pronounced  on  both  precedes." 

He  ended,  and  the  heavenly  audience  loud 
Sung  hallelujah,  as  the  sound  of  seas, 
Through  multitude  that  sung  :     "Just  are  thy  ways, 
Righteous  are  thy  decrees  on  all  thy  works  ; 
Who  can  extenuate  thee?"     Next, to  the  Son, 
*'  Destined  Restorer  of  mankind,  by  whom 
New  Heaven  and  earth  shall  to  the  ages  rise, 


240  PARADISE    LOST 

Or  down  from  heaven  descend."     Such  was  their  song; 

While  the  Creator,  calling  forth  by  name 

His  mighty  angels,  gave  them  several  charge, 

As  sorted  best  with  present  things.     The  sun 

Had  first  his  precept  so  to  move,  so  shine, 

As  might  affect  the  earth  with  cold  and  heat 

Scarce  tolerable ;  and  from  tlie  north  to  call 

Decrepit  winter;  from  the  south  to  bring 

Solstitial  Rummer's  heat.     To  the  blank  moon 

Her  office  they  prescribed  :  to  the  other  live 

Their  planetary  motions  and  aspects, 

In  sextile,  square,  and  trine,  and  opposite 

Of  noxious  efficacy  ;  and  when  to  join 

In  synod  unbenign  :  and  taught  the  fixed 

Their  influence  malignant  when  to  shower  ; 

Which  of  them,  rising  with  the  sun,  or  falling. 

Should  prove  tempestuous.     To  the  winds  they  set 

Their  corners;  when  with  bluster  to  confound 

Sea,  air,  and  shore  ;  the  thunder  when  to  roll 

With  terror  throiigli  the  dark  aerial  hall. 

Some  say  he  bid  his  angels  turn  askance 

The  poles  of  earth  twice  ten  degrees  and  more 

From  the  sun's  axle ;  they  with  labour  pushed 

Oblique  the  centric  globe  :  some  say  the  sun 

Was  bid  turn  reins  from  the  equinoctial  road 

Like  distant  breadth  to  Taurus,  with  the  seven 

Atlantic  Sisters,  and  the  Spartan  Twins, 

Up  to  the  Tropic  Crab  ;  thence  down  amain 

By  Leo,  and  the  Virgin,  and  the  Scales, 

As  deep  as  Capricorn,  to  bring  in  change 

Of  seasons  to  each  clime ;  else  had  the  s]iring 

Perpetual  smiled  on  earth  with  vernant  flowers. 

Equal  in  days  and  nights,  except  to  those 

Beyond  the  poler  circles ;  to  them  day 

Had  unbenighted  shone,  while  the  low  sun, 

To  recompense  his  distance,  in  their  sight 

Had  rounded  still  the  horizon,  and  not  known 

Or  east,  or  west,  which  had  forbid  the  snow 

From  cold  Estotiland,  and  south  as  far 

Beneath  Magellan.     At  that  tasted  fruit 


PARADISE    LOST.  '^41 

The  fiUTi,  r\H  from  Thyestean  baiKiuet,  turned 
His  coursi','  intended  ;  else  how  had  the  world 
Iiiliabited,  though  sinless,  more  than  now, 
Avoided  pinching  cold  and  scorching  heat  ? 
These  changes  in  the  heavens,  though  slow,  produced 
Like  change  on  sea  and  land  ;  sideral  blast, 
Vajtour,  and  mist,  and  exhalation  hot, 
Corrupt  and  j^estilent :  new  from  the  north 
Of  Norumbega,  and  the  Samoed  shore, 
Bursting  their  brazen  dungeon,  armed  with  ice, 
And  sno\V,  and  hail,  and  stormy  gust,  and  flaw  ; 
Boreas,  and  Caecias,  and  Argestes  loud. 
And  Thrascias  rend  the  woods,  and  seas  upturn  ; 
With  adverse  blasts  upturns  them  from  the  south, 
Notus,  and  Afer  black  with  thunderous  clouds 
From  Serraliona;  thwart  of  these,  as  fierce. 
Forth  rush  tlie  Levant  and  the  Ponent  winds, 
Eurus  and  Ze))hyr,  with  their  lateral  noise, 
Sirocco  and  Libecchio.     Thus  began 
Outrage  from  lifeless  things ;  but  Discord  first, 
Daughter  of  Sin,  among  the  irrational, 
Death  introduced,  through  fierce  antipathy  : 
Beast  now  with  beast  'gan  war,  and  fowl  with  fowl, 
And  fish  with  fish  ;  to  graze  the  herb  all  leaving, 
Devoured  each  other  ;  nor  stood  much  in  awe 
Of  man,  but  fled  him,  or  with  countenance  grim 
Glared  on  him  passing.     These  were,  from  without, 
The  growing  miseries,  which  Adam  saw 
Already  in  part,  though  hid  in  gloomiest  shade, 
To  sorrow  abandoned  ;  but  worse  felt  within, 
And,  in  a  troubled  sea  of  passion  tossed. 
Thus  to  disburden  souglit  with  sad  complaint: 

"  Oh,  miserable  of  hapj^y !  is  this  the  end 
Of  this  new  glorious  world,  and  me  so  late 
The  glory  of  that  glory,  who  now  become 
Accursed,  of  blessed  l*     Hide  me  from  the  face 
Of  Go(i,  whom  to  behold  was  then  my  height 
Of  happiness  !     Yet  well,  if  here  would  end 
The  misery  ;  I  deserved  it,  and  would  bear 
My  own  deservings:  but  this  will  not  serve: 

16 


24'J  PARADISE    LOST. 

All  that  I  cat  01'  drink,  or  sliall  beget, 

Is  propagated  curse.     Oh,  voice  once  heard 

Delightfully,  '  Increase  aud  multiply,' 

Now  death  to  hear  !  for  what  can  I  increase 

Or  multiply  but  curses  on  my  head? 

Who  of  all  ages  to  succeed,  but,  feeling 

The  evil  on  him  brought  by  me,  Avill  curse 

My  head  ?     '  111  fare  our  ancestor  impure  ! 

For  this  we  may  thank  Adam ;'  but  his  thanks 

Shall  be  the  execration  ;  so  besides 

Mine  own  that  bide  upon  me,  all  from  me 

Shall  with  a  fierce  reflux  on  me  rebound; 

On  me,  as  on  their  natural  centre  light. 

Heavy,  though  in  their  place.     O  fleeting  joys 

Of  Paradise,  dear  bought  with  lasting  woes  ! 

Did  I  request  thee,  Maker,  from  my  clay 

To  mould  me  man  ?  did  I  solicit  thee 

From  darkness  to  promote  me  ?  or  here  place 

In  this  delicious  garden  ?     As  my  will 

Concurred  not  to  my  being,  it  were  but  right 

And  equal  to  reduce  me  to  my  dust, 

Desirous  to  resign  and  render  back 

All  I  received,  unable  to  perform 

Thy  terms  too  hard,  by  which  I  was  to  hold 

The  good  I  sought  not.     To  the  loss  of  that, 

Suflicient  penalty  !  why  hast  thou  added 

The  sense  of  endless  woes?     Inexplicable 

Thy  justice  seems  ;  yet,  to  say  truth,  too  late 

I  thus  contest ;  then  should  liave  been  refused 

Those  terms,  whatever,  when  they  were  pro]50sed  : 

Thou  didst  accept  them.     Wilt  thou  enjoy  the  good, 

Then  cavil  the  conditions  ?  and  though  God 

Made  thee  without  thy  leave,  wliat  if  thy  son 

Prove  disobedient,  and  reproved,  retort, 

'  Wherefore  didst  thou  beget  me  ?     I  sought  it  not:  * 

Wouldst  thou  admit,  for  his  contempt  of  thee. 

That  proud  excuse  ?     Yet  him,  not  thy  election,  « 

But  natural  necessity,  begot. 

God  made  thee  of  choice  his  own,  and  of  his  own 

To  serve  him  :  thy  reward  was  of  his  grace ; 


PARADISE    LOST.  24S 

Tliy  jjunishmeut  tlieii,  justly,  is  at  his  will. 

Be  it  so,  for  I  submit :  his  doom  is  fair; 

Tliat  dust  I  am,  and  sliall  to  dust  return. 

O  welcome  hour  whenever  !     Why  delays 

His  liaiid  to  execute  wliat  his  decree 

Fixed  on  this  day?     Why  do  I  over-live? 

Why  am  I  mocked  with  death,  and  lengthened  out 

To  deathless  pain  ?     How  gladly  would  I  meet 

Mortality  my  sentence,  and  be  earth 

Insensible  !  how  glad  would  lay  me  down 

As  in  my  mother's  lap  !  there  I  should  rest 

And  sleep  secure  :  his  dreadful  voice  no  more 

Would  thunder  in  my  ears  ;  no  fear  of  worse 

To  me  and  to  ray  offspring  Avould  torment  rae 

With  cruel  expectation.     Yet  one  doubt 

Pursues  me  still,  lest  all  I  cannot  die; 

Lest  that  ]:)ure  breath  of  life,  the  spirit  of  man 

Which  God  inspired,  cannot  together  perish 

With  this  corporeal  clod ;  then  in  the  grave, 

Or  in  some  other  dismal  place,  who  knows 

But  I  shall  die  a  living  death  ?     O  thought 

Horrid,  if  true  !     Yet  why  ?     It  was  but  breath 

Of  life  that  sinned :  what  dies  but  what  had  life 

And  sin  ?     The  body  properly  had  neither. 

All  of  me  then  shall  die :  let  this  appease 

The  doubt,  since  human  reach  no  further  knows. 

For  though  the  Lord  of  all  be  infinite, 

Is  his  wrath  also  ?     Be  it ;  man  is  not  so, 

But  mortal  doomed.     How  can  he  exercise 

Wrath  without  end  on  man  whom  death  must  end  ? 

Can  he  make  deathless  death  ?     That  were  to  make 

Strange  contradiction,  which  to  God  himself 

Impossible  is  held,  as  argument 

Of  weakness,  not  of  power.     Will  he  draw  out, 

For  anger's  sake,  finite  to  infinite 

In  punished  man,  to  satisfy  his  rigour 

Satisfied  never  ?     That  were  to  extend 

His  sentence  beyond  dust  and  nature's  law, 

By  which  all  causes  else  according  still 

To  the  reception  of  their  matter  act, 


t 


I  ii44  PAKADISK    LOST. 

I       Not  to  the  extent  of  tlieir  own  spliere.     But  say 
I       That  death  ):)G  not  one  stroke,  as  I  supposed, 
I       Bereaving  sense,  but  endless  misery 
I       From  this  day  onward,  which  I  feel  begun 
I       Both  in  me,  and  without  me,  and  so  last 
)       To  perjietuity  :  ay  me  !   that  fear 
I       Comes  thundering  back  with  dreadful  revolution 
E       On  my  defenceless  head  ;  both  Death  and  I 
I       Am  found  eternal,  and  incorporate  both : 
I       Nor  I  on  my  part  single  :  in  me  all 
I       Posterity  stands  cursed.     Fair  patrimony 
'       That  I  must  leave  ye,  sons.     Oh  !  were  I  able 
(^ '     To  waste  it  all  myself,  and  leave  ye  none  ! 
\       So  disinherited,  how  would  ye  bless 
I       Me  now  your  curse  !     Ah  !  why  should  all  mankind 
[       For  one  man's  fault  thus  guiltless  be  condemned, 
5       If  guiltless?     But  from  me  what  can  proceed, 
I       But  all  corrupt,  both  mind  and  will  depraved, 
I       Not  to  do  only,  but  to  will  the  same 
r       With  me  ?     ITow  can  they  then  acquitted  stand 
.       In  sight  of  God  ?     Him,  after  all  disputes, 
'■■^      Forced  I  absolve  :  all  my  evasions  vain  ; 
^      And  reasonings,  though  through  mazes,  lead  me  still 
I       But  to  ray  own  conviction  :  first  and  last 
[       On  me,  me  only,  as  the  source  and  spring 
Of  all  corruption,  all  the  blame  lights  due  ; 
So  might  the  wrath  !     Fond  wish  !  couldst  thou  support 
That  burden  heavier  than  the  earth  to  bear, 
That  all  the  world  much  heavier,  though  divided 
With  that  bad  woman  ?     Thus  what  thou  desir'st. 
And  what  thou  fear'st,  alike  destroys  all  hope 
Of  refuge,  and  concludes  thee  miserable 
Beyond  all  past  example  and  future, 
To  Satan  only  like  both  crime  and  doom. 

0  conscience  !  into  what  abyss  of  fears 
And  horrors  hast  thou  driven  me,  out  of  which 

1  find  no  way,  from  deep  to  deeper  plunged  ! " 
Thus  Adam  to  himself  lamented  loud. 

Through  the  still  night;  not  now,  as  ere  man  fell. 
Wholesome,  and  cool,  and  mild  ;  but  with  black  air 


T 


FATlADTfJE    LOST-  245 

Accompanied,  with  damps  and  dreadful  gloom, 

Which  to  his  evil  conscience  represented 

All  things  with  double  terror:  on  the  ground 

Outstretched  he  lay,  on  the  cold  ground,  and  oft 

Cursed  his  creation,  death  as  oft  accused 

Of  tardy  execution,  since  denounced 

The  day  of  his  offence.     "  Why  comes  not  death,'* 

Said  h.e,  "  with  one  thrice  acceptable  stroke 

To  end  mo  ?     Shall  truth  fail  to  keep  her  word  ? 

Justice  divine  not  hasten  to  be  just?  \ 

But  death  comes  not  at  call ;  justice  divine  [ 

Mends  not  her  slowest  pace  for  prayers  or  cries.  \ 

O  woods!  O  fountains,  hillocks,  dales,  and  bowers  !  I 

With  other  echo  late  I  taught  your  shades  \ 

To  answer,  and  resound  far  other  song."  | 

Whom  thus  afflicted,  when  sad  Evc^beheld,  [ 

Desolate  where  she  sat,  a])proaching  aigh,  | 

Soft  words  to  his  fierce  passion  she  assayc'l;  I 

But  her  with  stern  regard  lie  thus  repelled  ; 

"  Out  of  my  sight,  thou  serpent !  that  name  best 
Befits  thee  with  him  leagued,  thyself  as  false 
And  hateful  ;  nothing  wants  but  that  thy  shape,  f 

Like  his,  and  colour  serpentine,  may  show  I 

Thy  inward  fraud,  to  warn  all  creatures  from  thee 
Ilenceforth  ;  lest  that  too  heavenly  form  preten.led 
To  hellish  falsehood  snare  them.     But  for  thee  j 

I  had  persisted  ha])py,  had  not  thy  pride  1 

And  wandering  vanity,  when  least  Avas  safe,  [ 

Rejected  my  forewarning,  and  disdained  [ 

Not  to  be  trusted,  longing  to  be  seen,  I 

Though  by  the  devil  himself,  him  overweeninor 
To  over-reach,  but  with  the  serpent  meeting 
Fooled  and  beguiled;  by  him  thou,  I  by  thee; 
To  trust  thee  fi-om  my  side,  imagined  wise. 
Constant,  matui-e,  proof  against  all  assaults; 
And  understood  not  all  was  but  a  show, 
Kather  than  solid  virtue ;  all  but  a  rib, 
Ci-ooked  by  nature  ;  bent,  as  now  appeare, 
More  to  the  part  sinister,  from  me  drawn ; 
Well  if  thrown  out,  as  supernumerary 


246  PAKADISE    LOST. 

To  my  just  number  found.     Oh  !  why  did  God, 

Creator  wise,  that  peopled  highest  Heaven 

With  spirits  masculine,  create  at  last 

This  novelty  on  earth,  this  fair  defect 

Of  nature,  and  not  fill  the  world  at  once 

With  men,  as  angx-ls,  without  feminine, 

Or  find  some  other  way  to  generate 

Mankind  ?     This  mischief  had  not  then  befallen, 

And  more  that  shall  befall,  innumerable 

Disturbances  on  earth  through  female  snares, 

And  strait  conjunction  with  this  sex  :  for  either 

He  never  shall  find  out  fit  mate,  but  such 

As  some  misfortune  brings  him,  or  mistake; 

Or  whom  he  wishes  most  shall  seldom  gain 

Through  her  perverseness,  but  shall  see  her  gained 

By  a  far  worse,  or  if  she  love,  withheld 

By  parents  ;  or  his  happiest  choice  too  late 

Shall  meet,  already  linked  and  wedlock-bound 

To  a  fell  adversary,  his  hate  or  s!:ame ; 

Which  infinite  calamity  shall  cause 

To  human  life,  and  household  peace  confound." 

He  added  not,  and  from  her  turned ;  but  Eve, 
Not  so  repulsed,  with  tears  that  ceased  not  flowing, 
And  tresses  all  disordered,  at  his  feet 
Fell  humble,  and  embracing  them,  besought 
His  peace,  and  thus  proceeded  in  lier  plaint : 

"  Forsake  me  not  thus,  Adam  !  witness  Heaven 
What  love  sincere,  and  reverence  in  my  heart 
I  bear  thee,  and  unweeting  have  offended, 
Unhappily  deceived  !     Thy  suppliant 
I  beg,  and  clasp  thy  knees  ;  bereave  me  not, 
Whereon  I  live,  thy  gentle  looks,  thy  aid, 
Thy  counsel  in  this  uttermost  distress. 
My  only  strength  and  stay  ;  forlorn  of  thee, 
Whither  shall  I  betake  me,  where  subsist? 
While  yet  we  li\e,  scarce  one  short  hour  perhapa, 
Between  us  two  let  there  be  peace,  both  joining. 
As  joined  in  injuries,  one  enmity 
Against  a  foe  by  doom  express  assigned  us. 
That  cruel  serpent :  on  me  exercise  not 


PARADISE    LOST.  'J47 

Thy  hatred  for  this  misery  befallen, 
On  me  already  lost,  me  then  thyself 
More  miserable ;  both  have  sinned,  but  thou 
Against  God  only,  I  against  God  and  thee, 
And  to  the  place  of  judgment  will  return. 
There  with  my  cries  im])ortune  Heaven,  that  all 
The  sentence,  from  thy  head  removed,  may  light 
On  me,  sole  cause  to  thee  of  all  this  woe, 
Me,  me  only,  just  object  of  his  ire." 

She  ended  weeping,  and  her  lowly  plight, 
Immoveable  till  peace  obtained  from  fault 
Acknowledged  and  deplored,  in  Adam  wrought 
Commiseration  ;  soon  his  heart  relented 
Towards  her,  his  life  so  late,  and  sole  delight, 
Now  at  his  feet  submissive  in  distress. 
Creature  so  fair  his  reconcilement  seeking. 
His  counsel  whom  she  had  displeased,  his  aid  ; 
As  one  disarmed,  his  anger  all  he  lost, 
And  thus  with  peaceful  words  upraised  hen  soon : 

"  Unwary,  and  too  desirous,  as  before. 
So  now  of  what  thou  know'st  not,  who  desir'st 
The  punishment  all  on  thyself  ;  alas ! 
Bear  thine  own  first,  ill  able  to  sustain 
His  full  wrath,  whose  thou  feel'st  as  yet  least  part, 
And  my  displeasure  bear'st  so  ill.     If  prayers 
Could  alter  high  decrees,  I  to  that  ])lace 
Would  speed  before  thee,  and  be  louder  heard, 
That  on  my  head  all  might  be  visited, 
Thy  frailty  and  infirmer  sex  forgiven, 
To  me  committed  and  by  me  exposed. 
But  rise,  let  us  no  more  contend,  nor  blame 
Each  other,  blamed  enough  elsewhere,  but  strive 
In  offices  of  love,  how  we  may  lighten 
Each  other's  burden  in  a  share  of  Avoe ; 
Since  this  day's  death  denounced,  if  aught  I  sec. 
Will  prove  no  sudden,  but  a  slow-paced  evil, 
A  long  day's  dying  to  augment  our  ])ain, 
And  to  our  seed  (O  hapless  seed !)  derived." 

To  whom  thus  Eve,  recovering  heart,  replied ; 
"  Adam,  by  sad  experiment  I  knov/ 


-48  PARADISE    LOST. 

How  little  weight  ray  words  with  thee  can  find,. 
Found  so  erroneous,  thence  by  just  event 
Found  so  unfortunate  ;  nevertheless, 
Restored  by  thee,  vile  as  I  am,  to  ])iace 
Of  new  acceptance,  hopeful  to  regain 
Thy  love,  the  sole  contentment  of  my  heart 
Living  or  dying,  from  thee  I  Avill  not  hide 
What  thoughts  in  my  unquiet  breast  are  risen. 
Tending  to  some  relief  of  our  extremes, 
Or  end,  though  sharp  and  sad,  yet  tolerable, 
As  in  our  evils,  and  of  easier  choice. 
If  care  of  our  descent  perplex  us  most 
Which  must  be  born  to  certain  woe,  devoured 
By  death  at  last ;  and  miserable  it  is 
To  be  to  others  cause  of  misery, 
Our  own  begotten,  and  of  our  loins  to  bring 
Into  this  cursed  world  a  woeful  race, 
That  after  wretched  life  must  be  at  last 
Food  for  so  foul  a  monster ;  in  thy  power 
It  lies,  yet  ere  conception  to  prevent 
The  race  unblessed,  to  being  yet  unbegot. 
Childless  thou  art,  childless  remain  ;  so  Death 
Shall  be  deceived  his  glut,  and  with  us  two 
Be  forced  to  satisfy  his  ravenous  maw. 
But  if  thou  judge  it  hard  and  difficult, 
Conversing,  looking,  loving,  to  abstain 
From  love's  due  rites,  nuptial  embraces  sweet, 
And  with  desire  to  languish  without  hope, 
Before  the  present  object  languishing 
AVith  like  desire,  which  would  be  misery 
And  torment  less  than  none  of  what  we  dread; 
Then,  both  ourselves  and  seed  at  once  to  free 
From  what  we  fear  for  both,  let  us  make  short, 
Let  us  seek  Death,  or  he  not  found,  supply 
With  our  OAvn  hands  his  office  on  ourselves. 
Why  stand  we  longer  shivering  under  fears. 
That  show  no  end  but  death,  and  have  the  power, 
Of  many  ways  to  die  the  shortest  choosing. 
Destruction  with  destruction  to  destroy?'' 
She  ended  here,  or  vehement  despair 


PARADISE    LOST.  249 

Broke  off  the  rest ;  so  much  of  death  her  thoughts 
Had  entertained,  as  dyed  licr  cheeks  with  pale. 
But  Adam  with  such  counsel  nothing  swayed, 
To  better  hopes  his  more  attentive  mind 
Laboring  bad  raised,  and  thus  to  Eve  replied  : 

"  Eve,  thy  contemjit  of  life  and  pleasure  seems 
To  argue  in  thee  something  more  sublime 
And  excellent  tban  what  tliy  mind  contemns ; 
But  self-destruction  therefore  sought,  refutes 
That  excellence  thought  in  thee,  and  implies, 
Not  thy  contempt,  but  anguish  and  regret 
P^or  loss  of  life  and  pleasure  overloved. 
Or  if  thou  covet  deatli,  as  utmost  end 
Of  misery,  so  thinking  to  evade 
The  penalty  pronounced,  doubt  not  but  God 
Hath  wiselier  armed  his  vengeful  ire  than  so 
To  be  forestalled  ;  much  more  I  fear  lest  death. 
So  snatched,  will  not  exempt  us  from  the  paia 
We  are  by  doom  to  pay  ;  rather  such  acts 
Of  contumacy  will  provoke  the  Highest 
To  make  death  in  us  live.     Then  let  us  seek 
Some  safer  resolution,  which  methinks 
I  have  in  view,  calling  to  mind  with  heed 
Part  of  our  sentence,  that  thy  seed  shall  bruise 
The  serpent's  head  ;  piteous  amends !  uidess 
Be  meant,  Avhom  I  conjecture,  our  grand  fc 
Satan,  Avho  in  the  serpent  hath  contrived 
Against  us  this  deceit :  to  crush  his  head 
WouM  be  revenge  indeed ;  which  will  be  lost 
By  death  brought  on  ourselves,  or  childless  days 
Resolved  as  thou  proposest ;  so  our  foe 
Shall  'scape  his  punishment  ordained,  and  we 
Instead  shall  double  ours  upon  our  heads. 
No  more  be  mentioned  then  of  violence 
Against  ourselves,  and  wilful  barrenness, 
That  cuts  us  off  from  hope,  and  savours  only 
Rancour  and  pride,  impatience  and  despite. 
Reluctance  against  God  and  his  just  yoke 
Laid  on  our  necks.     Remember  Avith'what  mild 
And  gracious  temper  he  both  heard  and  judged 


250  PARADISE    LOST. 

Without  wrath  or  reviling  ;  we  expected 

Immediate  dissohition,  which  we  thought 

Was  meant  by  death  that  day,  when  lo  !  to  thee 

Pains  onlv  in  child-hearinof  were  foretold, 

And  hringing  forth,  soon  recompensed  with  joy, 

Fruit  of  thy  womb  :  on  me  the  curse  aslope 

Glanced  on  the  ground :  with  labour  I  must  earn 

My  bread  ;  what  liarm?     Idleness  had  been  worse ; 

My  labour  will  sustain  me ;  and  lest  cold 

Or  heat  should  injure  us,  his  timely  care 

Hath  unlx'sought  provided,  and  his  hands 

Clotlied  us  unworthy,  pitying  while  he  judged  ; 

How  much  more,  if  we  pray  him,  Avill  his  ear 

Be  open,  and  his  heart  to  pity  incline, 

And  teach  us  further  by  what  means  to  shun 

The  inclement  seasons,  rain,  ice,  hail,  and  snow  ? 

Which  now  the  sky  with  various  face  begins 

To  sliow  us  in  this  mountain,  while  the  winds 

Blow  moist  and  keen,  shattering  the  graceful  lock 

Of  these  fair-spreading  trees  ;  which  bids  us  seek 

Some  better  warmth  to  cherish 

Our  limbs  benumbed,  ere  this  diurnal  star 

Leave  cold  the  night,  how  we  his  gathered 

Reflected,  may  with  matter  sere  foment ; 

Or,  by  collision  of  two  bodies,  grind 

The  air  attrite  to  fire,  as  late  the  clouds 

Justling,  or  pushed  Avith  winds,  rude  in  their  shock, 

Tine  the  slant  lightning,  whose  thwart  llame  di-iven  down. 

Kindles  the  gummy  bark  of  fir  or  pine, 

And  sends  a  comfortable  heat  from  far. 

Which  might  supply  the  sun  :  such  fire  to  use. 

And  what  may  else  be  remedy  or  cure 

To  evils  which  our  own  misdeeds  have  wrought, 

He  will  instruct  us  praying,  and  of  grace 

Beseeching  him,  so  as  we  need  not  fear 

To  jiass  commodiously  this  life,  sustained 

By  him  with  many  comforts,  till  we  end 

In  dust  our  final  rest  and  native  home. 

What  better  can  we  do,  than,  to  the  place 

Repairing  where  he  judged  us,  prostrate  fall 


PAKADTSK    LOST.  261 

Before  him  reverent,  and  there  confess 
Humbly  our  faults,  and  pardon  beg,  with  tears 
Waterinc:  the  ground,  and  with  our  sighs  the  air 
Frequenting,  sent  from  hearts  contrite,  in  sign 
Of  sorrow  unfeigned,  and  humiliation  meek? 
LTndoubtodly  he  will  relent  and  turn 
From  his  displeasure  ;  in  whose  look  serene. 
When  angry  most  he  seemed  and  most  severe, 
What  else  but  favour,  grace,  and  mercy  shone  ?  " 

So  spake  our  father  penitent,  nor  Eve 
Felt  less  remorse  :  they  forthwith  to  the  place 
Repairing  Avhere  he  judged  them,  prostrate  fell 
Before  him  reverent,  and  both  confessed 
Humbly  their  faults,  and  pardon  begged,  with  tears 
Watering  the  ground,  and  with  their  sighs  the  air 
Frequenting,  sent  from  hearts  contrite,  in  sign 
Of  sorrow  unfeigned,  and  humiliatiou  meek. 


252 


PAKADISB    LOST. 


BOOK  XI. 

THE   ARGUMENT. 

The  Son  of  God  presents  to  his  Father  the  prayers  of  our  first  parents, 
now  repenting,  and  intercedes  for  them  :  God  accepts  them,  bat  declares 
that  tliey  must  no  longer  abide  in  Paradise  ;  sends  Michael  with  a  band 
of  cliernbim  to  dispossess  them  ;  but  first  to  reveal  to  Adam  future 
things  :  Micliael's  coming  down.  Adam  shows  to  Eve  certain  ominous 
gigns  ;  he  discerns  Michael's  approach  ;  goes  out  to  meet  him  :  the 
augel  denounces  their  departure.  Eve's  lamentation.  Adam  pleads, 
but  submits  :  the  angel  leads  him  np  to  a  high  hill  ;  sees  before  lum  in 
vision  what  shall  liappeu  till  the  flood. 

Tnus  they,  in  lowliest  plight,  repentant  stood 

Praying  ;  for,  from  the  mercy-seat  above, 

Prevenient  grace  descending  had  removed 

The  stony  from  their  liearts,  and  made  nev,-  flesh 

Regenerate  grow  instead,  that  sighs  now  breathed 

LTnuttcrable,  which  the  Spirit  of  prayer 

Inspired,  and  winged  for  Heaven  Avith  speedier  fliglit 

Tlian  loudest  oratory ;  yet  their  port 

Not  of  mean  suitors,  nor  important  less 

Seemed  their  ]ietition,  than  when  the  ancient  pair 

In  fables  old,  less  ancient  yet  than  these 

Deucalion  and  chaste  Pyrrha,  to  restore 

The  race  of  mankind  drowned,  before  the  shrine 

Of  Themis  stood  devout.     To  Heaven  their  prayers 

Flew  up,  nor  missed  the  way,  by  envious  winds 

Blown  vagabond  or  frustrate  :  in  they  passed 

Dimensionless  through  heavenly  doors ;  then  clad 

With  incense,  where  the  golden  altar  fumed, 

By  their  great  Intercessor,  came  in  sight 

Before  the  Father's  throne :  them  the  glad  Sun 

Presenting  thus  to  intercede  began  : 

"  See,  Father,  what  first-fruits  on  earth  are  sprung 


PAItADiSE    LOST,  255 

I'yom  lliy  imjihinted  gnioo  in  man  ;  those  sighs 

And  pniyci-s,  wliich  in  lliis  golden  censer,  mixed 

AVitli  incense,  I  tliy  ])riest  before  thee  bring. 

Fruits  of  ]nore  pleasing  sivvour,  from  thy  seed 

Sown  with  contrition  in  his  heart,  than  those 

Which  his  own  hand,  inanuring  nil  the  trees 

Of  Paradise,  conld  have  produced,  ere  fallen 

From  innocence.     Now  therefore  bend  thine  ear 

To  su])plication  ;  hear  his  sighs,  though  mute; 

Unskilful  with  what  words  to  pray,  let  me 

Interpi-et  for  him,  me  his  advocate 

And  i>ro])itiation  :  all  his  works  on  me, 

Good  or  Hot  good,  ingraft ;  my  merit  tliose 

Shall  ]-)erfect,  and  for  these  my  death  shall  ]»ay. 

Accept  me,  and  in  me  from  these  receive 

The  smell  of  peace  toward  mankind  ;  let  liim  live 

Defore  thee  reconciled,  at  least  his  days 

Numbered,  though  sad,  till  death,  his  "doom  (which  I 

To  mitigate  thus  ]»lead,  not  to  reverse), 

To  better  life  shall  yield  him,  where  with  me 

All  my  redeemed  may  dwell  in  joy  and  bliss, 

Made  one  with  me,  as  I  with  thee  am  one." 

To  whojTi  the  father,  without  cloud,  serene: 
"All  thy  request  for  man,  accepted  Son, 
Obtain  :  all  thy  request  was  my  decree  ; 
But  longer  in  that  Paradise  to  dwell, 
The  law  I  gave  to  nature  liim  forbids. 
Those  pure  immortal  elements  that  know 
No  gross,  no  unharmonious  mixture  foul, 
Eject  him  tainted  now,  and  purge  lum  off 
As  a  distem])er,  gross  to  air  as  gross. 
And  mortal  food,  as  may  dispose  him  best 
For  dissolution  wrought  by  sin,  that  first 
Distempered  all  things,  and  of  incorrupt 
Corrupted.     I  at  first  with  two  fair  gifts 
Created  him  endowed,  with  happiness 
And  immortality  :  that  fondly  lost, 
This  other  served  but  to  eternize  woe, 
Till  I  provided  death  ;  so  death  becomes 
His  final  remedy,  and  after  life 


254  PARADISE    LOST. 

Tried  in  sharp  tribulation,  and  refined 

By  faith  and  faithful  works,  to  second  life, 

Waked  in  the  renovation  of  the  just, 

Ivcsigns  him  up  with  Heaven  and  earth  renewed. 

But  let  us  call  to  synod  all  the  blest 

Through  Heaven's  wide  bounds ;  from   them  I  will  not 

hide 
My  judgments,  how  with  mankind  I  proceed. 
As  how  with  peccant  angels  late  they  saw. 
And  in  their  state,  though  fii-m,  stood  more  confirmed." 

He  ended  :  and  the  Son  gave  signal  high 
To  tlie  bright  minister  tliat  watched :  lie  blew 
His  trumpet,  heard  in  Oreb  since  perha])S 
When  God  descended,  and  perha])S  once  more 
T(j  sound  at  general  doom.     The  angelic  blast 
Filled  all  the  regions  :  from  their  blissful  bowers 
Of  amaranthine  shade,  fountain,  or  spring, 
By  tlie  waters  of  life,  where'er  they  sat 
In  fellowships  of  joy,  the  sons  of  light 
Hasted,  resorting  to  the  summons  high, 
And  took  their  seats  ;  till  from  his  throne  supreme 
The  Almighty  thus  pronounced  his  sovran  will : 

"  O  sons  !  like  one  of  us  man  is  become 
To  know  both  good  and  evil,  since  his  taste 
Of  that  defended  fruit ;  but  let  him  boast 
His  knowledge  of  good  lost,  and  evil  got ; 
Happier,  had  it  sufficed  him  to  have  known 
Good  by  itself,  and  evil  not  at  all. 
He  sorrows  now,  repents,  and  prays  contrite. 
My  motions  in  him  ;  longer  than  they  move. 
His  heart  I  know  how  vai-iable  and  vain, 
Self-left.     Lest  therefore  his  now  bolder  hand 
Reach  also  of  the  tree  of  life,  and  eat, 
And  live  for  ever,  dream  at  least  to  live 
For  evei',  to  remove  him  I  decree. 
And  send  him  from  tlie  garden  forth  to  till 
The  ground  whence  he  was  taken,  fitter  soil. 

"Michael,  this  my  behest  have  thou  in  charge; 
Take  to  thee  from  among  the  clierubim 
Thy  choice  of  flaming  warriors,  lest  the  fiend, 


PARADISE    LOST.  255 

Or  in  behalf  of  mnn,  or  to  invade 

Vacant  possession,  some  new  trouble  raise : 

Haste  thee,  and  from  the  Paradise  of  God 

Without  remorse  drive  out  the  sinful  pair, 

From  hallowed  ground  the  unholy,  and  denounce 

To  them  and  to  their  progeny  from  llience 

Perpetual  banishment.     Yet  lest  they  faint 

At  the  sad  sentence  rigorously  nrged 

(For  1  behold  them  softened,  and  with  tears 

Bewailing  their  excess),  all  terror  hide. 

If  patiently  thy  bidding  they  obey, 

Dismiss  them  not  disconsolate  ;  reveal 

To  Adam  what  shall  come  in  future  days, 

As  I  shall  thee  enlighten  :  intermix 

I\Iy  covenant  in  the  woman's  seed  renev/ed  ; 

So  send  them  forth,  though  sorrowing,  yet  in  peace ; 

And  on  the  east  side  of  the  garden  place, 

Where  entrance  u])  from  Eden  easiest  climbs, 

Cherubic  watch,  and  of  a  sword  the  flame 

Wide-waving,  all  approach  far  off  to  fright, 

And  guard  all  passage  to  the  tree  of  life ; 

Lest  Paradise  a  receptacle  prove 

To  spirits  foul,  and  all  my  trees  their  prey, 

With  whose  stolen  fruit  man  once  more  to  delude.'* 

He  ceased  ;  and  the  archangelic  power  prepared 
For  swifts  descent ;  Avith  him  the  cohort  bright 
Of  Avatchful  cherubim  :  four  faces  each 
Had,  like  a  double  Janus  ;  all  their  shape 
Spangled  with  eyes,  more  numerous  than  those 
Of  Argus,  and  more  wakeful  than  to  drowse. 
Charmed  with  Arcadian  pipe,  the^pastor.al  reed 
Of  Hermes,  or  his  ojnate  rod.     Meanwhile, 
To  resalute  the  Avorld  with  sacred  light, 
Leucothea  waked,  and  with  fresh  dews  embalmed 
The  earth ;  when  Adam  and  first  matron  Eve 
Had  ended  now  their  orisons,  and  found 
Strength  added  from  above  ;  new  hope  to  spring 
Ont  of  despair;  joy,  but  with  fear  yet  linked  ; 
Which  thus  to  Eve  his  welcome  words  renewed: 

"  Eve  !  easily  may  faith  admit  that  all 


25?  PARAnTRK    LOST. 

The  good  which  we  enjoy  from  Heaven  descenrlar 

But,  that  from  us  aught  should  ascend  to  Heaven, 

So  prevalent  as  to  concern  the  mind 

Of  God  high  blest,  or  to  incline  his  will, 

Hard  to  belief  may  seem  ;  yet  tliis  will  prayer, 

Or  one  short  sigh  of  human  breath,  upborne 

Even  to  the  seat  of  God.     For  since  I  sought 

By  ]irayer  the  offended  Deity  to  appease, 

Kneeled,  and  before  him  humbled  all  my  heart, 

Methouglit  I  saw  him  placable,  and  mild, 

Bending  his  ear  :   persuasion  in  me  grew 

That  I  was  heard  with  favour  ;  peace  returned 

Home  to  my  breast;  and  to  my  memory 

His  promise,  that  thy  seed  shall  bruise  our  foe  j 

Which,  then  not  minded  in  dismay,  yet  now 

Assures  me  that  the  bitterness  of  death 

Is  past,  and  we  shall  live.     Whence  hail  to  thee, 

Eve  rightly  called,  mother  of  all  mankind  ! 

Mother  of  all  things  living,  since  by  thee 

Man  is  to  live  ;  and  all  things  live  for  man." 

To  whom  thus  Eve,  with  sad  demeanour  meek : 
"  Ill-worthy  I,  such  title  should  belong 
To  me  trangi-essor !  who,  for  thee  ordained 
A  help,  became  thy  snare :  to  me  reproach 
Rather  belongs,  distrust,  and  all  dispraise. 
But  infinite  in  pardon  Avas  my  Judge, 
That  I,  who  first  brought  death  on  all,  am  graeed 
The  source  of  life  :  next  favourable  thou. 
Who  highly  thus  to  entitle  me  vouchsaf'st, 
Far  other  names  deserving.     But  the  field 
To  labour  calls  us,  now  Avith  sweat  imposed, 
Though  after  sleepless  night ;  for  see  !  the  morn, 
All  unconcerned  Mith  our  unrest,  begins 
Her  rosy  progress  smiling  :  let  us  forth  ; 
I  never  from  thy  side  henceforth  to  stray, 
Where'er  our  day's  work  lies,  though  now  enjoined 
Laborious  till  day  droop  :   while  here  we  dwell. 
What  can  be  toilsome  in  these  pleasant  walks  ? 
Here  let  us  live,  though  in  fallen  state,  content !  " 

So  spake,  so  wished,  much-hurabied  Eve  ;  but  fate 


PAK^DISK    I.aST.  'Ibl 

SubscriLed  not :  nature  first  gave  si.L,nis,  impressed 
On  bird,  beast,  air :  air  suddenly  eclipsed, 
After  short  blush  of  morn  ;  nigh  in  her  sight 
The  bird  of  Jove,  stooped  from  liis  airy  tour, 
Two  birds  of  gayest  plume  before  him  drove  ; 
Down  fi-om  a  hill  the  beast  that  reigns  in  woods, 
First  hunter  then,  pursued  a  gentle  brace, 
Goodliest  of  all  the  forest,  hart  and  hind  ; 
Direct  to  the  eastern  gate  was  bent  their  flight. 
Adam  observed,  and  with  his  eye  the  chase 
Pursuing,  not  unmoved,  to  Eve  thus  spake  : 

"  O  Eve  !  some  further  change  awaits  us  nigh. 
Which  Heaven,  by  these  mute  signs  of  nature,  shows 
Forerunners  of  his  purpose  :  or  to  warn 
Us,  haply  to  secure  of  our  discharge 
From  penalty,  because  from  death  released 
Some  days  :  how  long,  and  what  till  then  our  life, 
Who  knows?  or  more  than  this,  that  wo  are  dust, 
And  thither  must  return,  and  be  no  more  ? 
Why  else  this  double  object  in  our  sight 
Of  flight  pursued  in  the  air,  and  o'er  the  ground, 
One  way  the  self-same  liour?  why  in  the  east 
Darkness  ere  day's  mid-course,  and  morning-light 
More  orient  in  yon  western  cloud,  that  draws 
O'er  the  blue  firmament  a  radiant  while. 
And  slow  descends  with  something  heavenly  fraught?" 

He  erred  not;  for  by  this  the  heavenly  bands 
Down  from,  the  sky  of  jasper  lighted  now 
In  Paradise,  and  on  a  hill  made  halt, 
A  glorious  apparition,  had  not  doubt 
And  carnal  fear  that  day  dimmed  Adam's  eye. 
Not  that  more  glorious,  when  the  angels  met 
Jacob  in  Mahanaim,  where  he  saw 
The  Held  pavilioned  with  Ids  guardians  bright; 
Nor  that,  which  on  the  flaming  mount  appeared 
In  Dothan,  covered  with  a  camp  of  lire  ; 
Against  the  Syrian  king  ;  who,  to  surprise 
One  man,  assassion  like,  had  levied  war. 
War  unproclaimed.     The  princely  hierarch 
In  their  bright  stand  there  left  his  powers,  to  seize 

17 


258  PAKADISE    LOST. 

Possession  of  the  garden  :  he  alone, 

To  find  where  Adam  slieltered,  took  his  way ; 

Not  unpercived  of  Adam,  who  to  Eve, 

While  the  great  visitant  approached,  thus  S]:)ake : 

"Eve,  now  expect  great  tidings,  which  perhaps 
Of  us  will  soon  determine,  or  impose 
New  laws  to  be  observed  ;  for  I  descry. 
From  yonder  blazing  cloud  that  veils  the  hill, 
One  of  the  heavenly  host,  and,  by  his  gait. 
None  of  the  meanest ;  some  great  potentate, 
Or  of  the  thrones  above  ;  such  majesty 
Invests  him  coming!  yet  not  terrible. 
That  I  should  fear ;  nor  sociably  mild, 
As  Raphael,  that  I  should  much  confide  ; 
But  solemn  and  sublime  ;  whom,  not  to  offend, 
With  reverence  I  must  meet,  and  thou  retire." 
He  ended  :  and  the  archangel  soon  drew  uigh, 
Nor  in  his  shape  celestial,  but  as  man 
Clad  to  meet  man  ;  over  his  lucid  arms 
A  military  vest  of  purple  flowed. 
Livelier  than  Meliboean,  or  the  grain 
Of  Sarra,  worn  by  kings  and  heroes  old 
In  time  of  truce;  Iris  had  dipped  the  woof: 
His  starry  helm  unbuckled  showed  him  prime 
In  manhood  where  youth  ended  :  by  his  side, 
As  in  a  glistering  zodiac,  hung  the  sword, 
Satan's  dire  dread  ;  and  in  his  hand  the  spear. 
Adam  bowed  low  :  he,  kingly,  from  his  state 
Inclined  not,  but  his  coming  tlius  declared : 

"  Adam  !  Heaven's  high  behest  no  preface  needs : 
Sufficient  that  thy  prayers  are  heard  ;  and  Death, 
Tlien  due  by  sentence  when  thou  didst  transgress, 
Defeated  of  his  seizure  :  many  days 
Given  thee  of  grace,  wherein  thou  mayest  repent, 
And  one  bad  act  with  many  deeds  well  done 
Mayst  cover  :  well  may  then  thy  Lord,  appeased, 
Redeem  thee  quite  from  Death's  rapacious  claim ; 
But  longer  in  this  Paradise  to  dwell 
Permits  not :  to  move  thee  I  am  come. 
And  send  thee  fromthe  garden  forth,  to  till 


rAKAiiisE  LOST.-  259 

Tlie  ground  whence  thou  wast  taken  ;  fitter  soil." 

lie  added  not ;  for  Adam  at  the  news 
Heart-struck  with  cliilliiig  gripe  of  sorrow  stood, 
That  all  his  senses  bound  :  Eve,  who  unseen 
Yet  all  had  heard,  with  audible  lament 
Discovered  soon  tlie  place  of  her  retire  : 

"  Oh,  unexpected  stroke,  worse  than  of  death ! 
Must  I  thus  leave  thee.  Paradise?  thus  leave 
Thee,  native  soil,  these  hap])y  walks  and  shades, 
Fit  haunt  of  gods  ?  where  I  had  hope  to  spend. 
Quiet,  though  sad,  the  resj)ite  of  that  day 
That  must  be  mortal  to  us  both.     O  flowers, 
That  never  will  in  other  climate  grow, 
My  early  visitation,  and  my  last 
At  even,  whicli  I  bred  up  with  tender  hand 
From  the  first  opening  bud,  and  gave  ye  names; 
"Who  now  shall  rear  ye  to  the  sun,  or  rank 
Your  tribes,  and  water  from  the  ambrosial  fount? 
Thee  .lastly,  nu])Lial  bower,  by  me  adorned. 
With -what  to  sight  or  smell  was  sweet;  from  thee 
How  shall  I  jjart,  and  whether  wander  down 
Into  a  lower  world,  to  this  obscure 
And  wild  ?  how  shall  we  breathe  in  other  air 
Less  pure,  accustomed  to  immortal  fruits  ?  " 
Whom  thus  the  angel  interrupted  mild : 
"  Lament  not.  Eve,  but  patiently  resign 
What  justly  thou  hast  lost:  nor  set  thy  heart, 
Thus  over-fond,  in  that  wliich  is  not  thine: 
Thy  going  is  not  lonely  ;  with  thee  goes 
Thy  husband  ;  him  to  follow  thou  art  bound  ; 
Where  he  abides,  think  there  thy  native  soil." 

Adam,  by  this  from  the  cold  sudden  damp 
Recovering,  and  his  scattered  spirits  returned, 
To  Michael  thus  his  humble  words  addressed: 

'■  Celestial,  whether  among  the  thrones,  or  named 
Of  them  the  highest,  for  such  of  shape  may  seem 
Prince  above  princes,  gently  hast  thou  told 
Thy  message,  which  might  else  in  telling  wound, 
And  in  performing  end  us  ;  what  besides 
Of  sorrow  and  dejection  and  despair 


2C0  PARADISE    LOST. 

Our  frailty  can  sustain,  thy  tidings  bring, 

Departure  from  this  happy  phice,  oui-  sweet 

Recess,  and  only  consolation  lift 

Familiar  to  our  eyes  ;  all  places  else 

Inhospitable  appear  and  desolate, 

Nor  knowing  us  nor  known  :  and  if  by  prayer 

Incessant  I  could  hope  to  ciiange  the  will 

Of  him  who  all  things  can,  I  would  not  cease 

To  weary  him  with  my  assiduous  cries  : 

But  prayer  against  his  absolute  decree 

No  more  avails  than  breath  against  the  wind, 

Blown  stifling  back  on  him  that  breathes  it  forth; 

Therefore  to  his  great  bidding  I  submit. 

This  most  afiiicts  me,  that,  departing  hence, 

As  from  his  face  I  shall  be  hid,  deprived 

His  blessed  countenance ;  here  I  could  frequent 

With  worship  place  by  place  where  he  vouchsafed 

Presence  divine,  and  to  my  sons  relate, 

On  this  mount  he  appeared  ;  under  this  tree 

Stood  visible  ;  among  these  pines  his  voice 

I  lieard  ;  here  with  him  at  this  fountain  talked: 

So  many  grateful  altars  I  would  rear 

Of  grassy  turf,  and  pile  up  every  stone 

Of  lustre  from  the  brook,  in  memory. 

Or  monument  to  ages,  and  thereon 

Offer  sweet  smelling  gums,  and  fruits,  and  flowers. 

In  yonder  nether  world  where  shall  I  seek 

His  bright  appearances,  or  footsteps  trace? 

For  though  I  fled  him  angry,  yet,  recalled 

To  life  prolonged  and  promised  race,  I  now 

Gladly  beheld  though  but  his  utmost  skirts 

Of  glory,  and  far  off  his  steps  adore." 

To  whom  thus  Michael  with  regard  benign  : 
" Adam,  thou  knowest  Heaven  his,  and  allthe  earth, 
Not  this  rock  only  ;  his  omnipresence  fills 
Land,  sea,  and  air,  and  every  kind  that  lives. 
Fomented  by  his  virtual  power  and  warmed  : 
All  the  earth  he  gave  thee  to  possess  and  rule, 
No  despicable  gift ;  surmise  not  then 
His  presence  to  these  narrow  bounds  confined 


PAKADIsa    LOST,  2til 

Of  Pai-adise  or  Eden  :  this  had  been 

Perliaps  tliy  capital  seat,  from  whence  had  spring 

All  generations,  and  had  hither  come 

From  all  the  ends  of  the  earth,  to  celebrate 

And  reverence  thee  their  great  progenitor. 

But  this  pre-eminence  tho\i  hast  lost,  brought  down 

To  dwell  on  even  ground  now  with  thy  sons  : 

Yet  doubt  not  but'iii  valley  and  in  plain 

God  is  as  here,  and  will  be  found  alike 

Present,  and  of  his  presence  many  a  sign 

Still  following  thee,  still  compassing  thee  round 

With  goodness  and  paternal  love,  his  face 

Express,  and  of  his  steps  the  track  divine. 

Which  that  thou  niayst  believe,  and  l)e  confirmed 

Ere  thou  from  hence  depart,  know  I  am  sent 

To  show  thee  what  shall  come  in  future  days 

To  thee  and  to  thy  offspring ;  good  with  bad 

Expect  to  hear,  supernal  grace  contending 

With  sinfulness  of  men  ;  thereby  to  learn 

True  patience,  and  to  tem])er  joy  with  fear. 

And  pious  sorrow,  equally  inured 

By  moderation  either  state  to  bear. 

Prosperous  or  adverse  :  so  shalt  thou  lead 

Safest  thy  life,  and  best  prepared  endure 

Thy  mortal  passage  when  it  comes.     Ascend 

This  hill ;  let  Eve  (for  I  have  drenched  her  eyes) 

Here  sleep  below,  while  thou  to  foresight  ,%^akest; 

As  once  thou  sle])t'st,  whife  she  to  life  was  formed.** 

To  whom  thus  Adam  gratefully  replied  : 
"Ascend;  I  follow  thee,  safe  guide,  the  path 
Thou  lead'st  me,  and  to  the  hand  of  Heaven  submit 
HoAvever  chastening ;  to  the  evil  turn 
Tily  obvious  breast :  arming  to  overcome 
By  suffering,  and  earn  i-est  fi-om  labour  won, 
If  so  I  may  attain."     So  both  ascend 
In  the  visions  of  God.     It  was  a  hill 
Of  Paradise  the  highest,  from  whose  top 
The  liemisphere  of  earth  in  clearest  ken 
Stretched  out  to  the  amplest  reach  of  prospect  lay. 
Not  higher  that  hill  nor  wider  looking  round, 


2o*2  TARADISK    I.ORT. 

Whereon  for  different  cause  the  tempter  set 

Our  second  Adam  in  the  wilderness, 

To  show  him  all  earth's  kingdoms  c^nd  their  glory. 

His  eye  might  there  command  wherever  stood 

City  of  old  or  modern  fame,  the  scat 

Of  mightiest  empire,  from  the  destined  walls 

Of  Cambalu  seat  of  Cathainn  Can, 

And  Samarchand  by  Oxus,  Temir's  throne, 

To  Paquin  of  Si  isean  kings;  and  thence 

To  Agi-a  and  Lahor,  of  great  Mogul, 

Down  to  the  golden  Chersonese  ;  or  M'here 

The  Persian  in  Ecbatan  sat,  or  suice 

In  Hispahan  ;  or  where  the  Russian  Ksar 

In  Mosco,  or  the  Sultan  in  Bizance, 

Turchestan-born  :  nor  could  his  eye  not  ke"i 

The  empire  of  Negus  to  his  utmost  jjort, 

Ercoco,  and  the  less  maritime  kings, 

Mombaza,  and  Quiloa,  and  Melind, 

And  Sofala  thought  Ophir,  to  the  i-ealm 

Of  Congo,  and  Angola  farthest  south  ; 

Or  thence  from  Niger  flood  to  Atlas  Mourtj 

The  kingdoms  of  Almansor,  Fez  and  Sus, 

Harocco,  and  Algiers,  and  Tremisen  ; 

On  Europe  thence,  and  where  Rome  was  to  swiiy 

The  world:  in  spirit  perha]is  he  also  saw 

Rich  Mexico,  the  seat  of  Montezuma, 

And  Cusco,  in  Peru,  tlie  richer  seat 

Of  Atabalipa,  and  yet  unspoiTcd 

Guiana,  whose  great  city  Geryon's  sons 

Call  El  Dorado  ;  but  to  nobler  siglits 

Michael  from  Adam's  eyes  the  film  removed, 

Which  that  false  fruit  that  promised  clearer  sight 

Had  bred;  then  cleansed  with  euphrasy  and  rue 

The  visual  nerve,  for  he  had  much  to  see  ; 

And  from  tlie  well  of  life  three  drops  instilled 

So  dee])  the  power  of  tlicse  ingredients  pierced. 

E'en  to  the  inmost  seat  of  mental  sight. 

That  Adam,  now  enforced  to  close  his  eyes, 

Sunk  down,  and  all  his  spirit  became  entranced; 

But  him  the  gentle  angel  by  the  hand 


PAKADISE    T,Osr.  L'Gci 

Soon  raised,  and  his  attention  thu"s  recalled  : 

"Adam,  now  ope  thine  eyes,  and  first  behold 
The  effects  which  thy  oriiijinal  crime  hath  wrouorht 
In  some  to  spriiig  from  thee,  who  never  touclied 
The  excepted  tree,  nor  with  the  snake  conspired 
Nor  sinned  thy  sin,  yet  from  tliat  sin  derive 
Corruption  to  bring  forth  more  violent  deeds.". 

His  eyes  be  opened,  and  beheld  a  field. 
Part  arable  and  tilth,  whereon  were  sheaves 
New  reaped,  the  other  part  sheep-walks  and  folds; 
I'  the  midst  an  altar  as  the  landmark  stood, 
Rustic,  of  grassy  sord  ;  thither  anou 
A  sweaty  reaper  from  his  tillage  brought 
First-fruits,  the  green  ear,  and  the  yellow  sheaf, 
Unculled,  as  came  to  handj  a  sliephei-d  next. 
More  meek,  came  with  the  firstlings  of  his  flock, 
Choicest  and  best ;  then  sacrificing,  laid 
The  inwards  and  their  fat,  with  incense  strewed, 
On  the  cleft  wood,  and  all  due  rites  performed  : 
His  offering  soon  propitious  fire  from  Heaven 
Consumed  with  nimble  glance  and  grateful  steam; 
Tlie  other's  not,  for  his  was  not  sincere  : 
Whereat  he  inly  raged  ;  and,  as  they  talked, 
Smote  him  into  the  midriff  witli  a  stone 
That  beat  out  lite  :  he  fell,  and,  deadly  pale, 
Groaned  out  his  soul  with  gushing  blood  effused. 
Much  at  that  siglit  was  Adam  in  his  heart 
Dismayed  ;  and  thus,  in  haste,  to  the  angel  cried : 

"  O  teacher  !  some  great  mischief  has  befallen 
To  that -meek  man,  who  well  hath  sacrificed  ! 
Is  piety  thus  and  pure  devotion  paid  ?  '' 

To  whom  Michael  thus,  he  also  nioved,  replied: 
"  These  two  are  brethren,  Adam,  and  to  come 
Out  of  thy  loins;  the  unjust  the  just  hath  slain, 
For  envy  that  his  brother's  offering  found 
From  Heaven  acceptance ;  but  the  bloody  fact 
Will  be  avenged,  and  the  other's  faith,  approved, 
Lose  no  reward,  though  here  thou  see  him  die, 
Rolling  in  dust  and  gore."     To  Mdiich  our  sire: 

"  Alas  !  both  for  the  deed  and  for  the  cause ! 


26-i  PAPtADISE    LOST. 

But  have  I  now  seen  death?     Ts  tJiis  the  way 
I  must  return  to  native  dust  ?     Oli,  sight 
Of  terror,  foul  and  ugly  to  behold  ! 
Horrid  to  think  !  how  horrible  to  feel !  " 

To  whom  thus  Michael :  "  Death  thou  hast  seen 
In  his  first  shape  on  man  ;  but  many  shapes 
Of  Death,  and  many  are  the  ways  that  lead 
To  his  grim  cave,  all  dismal ;  yet  to  sense 
More  terrible  at  the  entrance  than  within. 
Some,  as  thou  saw'st,  by  violent  stroke  shall  die; 
By  fire,  flood,  famine;  by  intemperance  more 
In  meats  and  di'inks,  which  on  the  earth  shall  bring 
Diseases  dire,  of  which  a  monstrous  crew 
Before  thee  shall  appear,  that  thou  maj^st  know 
What  misery  the  inabstinence  of  Eve 
Shall  bring  on  men."     Immediately  a  place 
Before  his  eyes  appeared,  sad,  noisome,  dark  ; 
A  lazar-house  it  seemed,  wherein  were  laid 
Numbers  of  all  diseased,  all  maladies 
Of  ghastly  spasm,  or  racking  torture,  qualms 
Of  heart-sick  agony ;  all  feverous  kinds, 
Convulsions,  epilepsies,  fierce  catarrhs, 
Intestine  stone  and  ulcer,  colic  pangs. 
Demoniac  frenzy,  moping  melancholy, 
And  moon-struck  madness,  pining  atrophy, 
Marasmus,  and  wide-wastinof  pestilence. 
Dropsies,  and  asthmas,  and  joint-racking  rheums. 
Dire  was  the  tossing,  deep  the  groans  ;  Despair 
Tended  the  sick  busiest  from  couch  to  eoucli ; 
And  over  them  triumphant  Death  his  dart 
Shook,  but  delayed  to  strike,  though  oft  invoked 
With  vows,  as  their  chief  good,  and  final  hope. 
Sight  so  deform,  what  heart  of  rock  could  long 
Dry  eye  behold  ?     Adam  could  not,  but  wept, 
Though  not  of  woman  boi-n  ;  comj)assion  quelled 
His  best  of  man,  and  gave  liim  up  to  tears 
A  space,  till  firmer  thoughts  restrained  excess  ; 
And,  scarce  recovering  words,  his  plaint  renewed: 

"  Oh,  miserable  mankind  !  to  what  fall 
Degraded!  to  what  wretched  fate  reserved  1 


PARADISE    LOST.  265 

yjetter  end  liere  unborn.     Why  is  life  given 
To  be  thus  wrested  from  ns  ?  rather  "why 
Obtruded  on  us  thus?  wlio,  if  we  knew 
What  we  receive,  would  either  not  accept 
Life  offered,  or  soon  beg  to  lay  it  down, 
Glad  to  be  so  dismissed  in  peace.     Can  thus 
The  image  of  God,  in  man  created  once 
So  goodly  and  erect,  though  faulty  since 
To  such  Miisiglitly  suffci'ings  bo  debased 
Under  inhuman  pains?     Why  should  not  man, 
Retaining  still  divine  similitude 
In  ]iart,  fi-om  such  deformities  be  free. 
And  for  his  Maker's  image  sake  exempt?" 

"Their  Maker's  image,"  answered  Michael,  "then 
Forsook  them,  when  themselves  they  vilified 
To  serve  ungoverncd  appetite,  and  took 
ITis  innige  whom  they  served,  a  br-utish  vice. 
Inductive  mainly  to  the  sin  of  Eve. 
The]-efore  so  abject  is  tlieir  pimishment, 
Disfiguring  not  God's  likeness,  but  their  own  ; 
Or,  if  ])is  likeness,  by  tliemselves  defaced. 
While  they  prevert  pure  nature's  healthful  rules 
To  loathsome  sickness  ;  worthily  since  they 
God's  image  did  not  reverence  in  themselves." 
"I  yield  it  just,"  said  Adam,  "and  submit. 
But  is  there  yet  no  other  way,  besides 
These  ])niiiful  passages,  how  we  may  come 
To  death,  and  mix  Avitli  our  connatural  dust?" 

"There  is,"  said  IMichael,  "  if  thou  well  observe 
The  rule  of  not  too  much,  by  temperance  taught, 
In  what  thou  eat'st  and  drink'st,  seeking  from  thence 
Due  nourishment,  not  gluttonous  delight, 
Till  many  years  over  thy  head  return  : 
So  mayst  thou  live,  till  like  ripe  fruit  thou  drop 
Into  thy  mother's  lap,  or  be  with  ease 
Gathered,  not  harshly  plucked,  for  death  mature  : 
This  is  old  age  ;  but  then  thou  must  outlive 
Thy  youth,  thy  sti-englh,  thy  beauty,  Avhich  will  change 
To  withered,  weak,  and  gray ;  thy  senses  then 
Obtuse,  all  taete  of  pleasure  must  forego 


?«(>  PARA  PIS  K    LOST. 

To  vvli.'xt  tliou  Imst ;  and  for  the  air  of  youth. 
Hopeful  rnd  cheerful,  in  thy  blood  will  reign 
A  melancholy  damp  of  cold  and  dry 
To  weigh  tliy  spirits  down,  and  lust  consume 
The  baTm  of  life."     To  whom  our  ancestor : 

"  Henceforth  I  fly  not  death,  nor  would  prolong 
Life  much,  bent  rather  how  1  may  be  quit, 
Fairest  and  easiest,  of  this  cumbrous  charge, 
Which  I  must  keep  till  my  a]:)pointed  day 
Of  rendering  up,  and  patiently  attend 
My  dissolution."     Michael  replied: 

"Nor  loA'e  thy  life,  nor  hate  ;  but  what  thou  liv'st 
Live  well  ;  how  long  or  short,  permit  to  Heaven 
And  now  ]irepare  thee  for  another  sight." 

He  looked,  and  saw  a  spacious  plain,  whereon 
Were  tents  of  various  hue;  by  some  were  herds 
Of  cattle  gi-azing ;  others,  whence  the  sound 
Of  instruments  that  made  melodious  chime 
Was  heard,  of  harp  and  organ  ;  ard  who  moved 
Their  sto]'>s  and  chords  were  seen  :  his  volant  touch. 
Listinct  through  all  proportions  low  and  high 
Fled  and  pursued  tranverse  the  resonant  fugue. 
In  other  part  stood  one  who  at  the  forge 
Labouring,  two  niassy  clods  of  iron  and  brass 
''^Tad  melted  (whether  found  where  casual  fire 
Plad  wasted  woods  on  mountain  or  in  vale, 
Down  to  the  veins  of  earth,  thence  gliding  hot 
To  some  cave's  mouth,  or  whether  washed  by  stream 
From  under  ground)  ;  the  liquid  ore  he  drained 
Lito  fit  moulds  ]n-epared  ;  from  which  he  formed. 
First,  his  own  toots;  then,  what  might  else  be  wrought 
Fusil  or  graven  in  metal.     After  these, 
But  on  the  hither  side,  a  different  sort 
From  the  high  neighbouring  hills,  which  was  their  seat, 
Down  to  the  plain  descended  :  by  their  guise, 
Just  men  they  seemed,  and  all  their  study  bent 
To  worship  God  aright,  and  know  bis  works 
Not  hid,  nor  those  things  last  which  might  preserve 
Freedom  and  pence  to  men  .  tliey  on  the  plain 
Long  liad  not  walked,  when  from  the  tents,  behold  ! 


PARADISK    LOST.  267 

A  bevy  of  fair  women,  richly  gay 

In  gems  and  wanton  dress  ;  to  the  harp  they  sung 

Soft  amorous  ditties,  and  in  dance  came  on  : 

The  men,  tliough  grave,  eyed  them,  and  let  their  eyes 

Rove  without  rein,  till,  in  the  amorous  net, 

Fast  caught,  they  likccl,  and  each  his  liking  chose; 

And  now  of  love  they  treat,  till  the  e\'oning  star, 

Love's  harbinger  appeared  ;  then  all  in  heat 

They  light  the  nuptial  torch,  and  bid  invoke 

Hymen,  then  first  to  marriage  rites  invoked  : 

With  feast  and  music  all  the  tents  resound. 

Such  happy  interview  and  fair  event 

Of  love  and  youth  not  lost,  songs,  garlands,  flowers, 

And  cliarming  symphonies,  attached  the  heart 

Of  Adam,  soon  inclined  to  admit  delight, 

Tlie  bent  of  nature;  which  he  thus  expressed  : 

"  True  opener  of  mine  eyes  !  prime  angel  blest ! 
Much  better  seems  this  vision,  and  more  hope 
Of  peaceful  days  portends,  than  those  two  past: 
Those  were  of  hate  and  death,  or  pain  much  worse ; 
Plere  nature  seems  fulfilled  in  all  her  ends." 

To  whom  thus  Michael :  "  Judge  not  what  is  best 
By  pleasure,  though  to  nature  seeming  meet 
Created  as  thou  art  to  nobler  end, 
Holy  and  pure,  conformity  divine. 
Those  tents  thou  saw'st  so  pleasant,  were  the  tents 
Of  wickedness,  wherein  shall  dwell  his  race 
Who  slew  his  brother  ;  studious  they  appear 
Of  arts  that  polish  life,  inventors  rare. 
Unmindful  of  their  Maker,  though  his  Spirit 
Taught  them  ;  but  they  his  gifts  acknowledged  none. 
Yet  they  a  beauteous  offsj^ring  shall  beget ; 
For  that  fair  female  troop  thou  saw'st,  that  seemed 
Of  goddesses,  so  blithe,  so  smooth,  so  gay, 
Yet  emp{y  of  all  good,  wherein  consists 
Woman's  domestic  honour  and  chief  praise, 
Bred  only  and  completed  to  the  taste 
Of  lustful  aj)petence,  to  sing,  to  dance. 
To  dress,  and  troll  the  tongue,  and  roll  the  eye ; 
To  these  that  sober  race  of  men,  whose  lives 


2f>S  PARADTSTC    T.ORT. 

Religious  titled  thcni  the  sons  of  God, 

Shall  yield  u]i  all  their  virtue,  all  their  fame, 

Ignobly,  to  the  trains  and  to  the  smiles 

Of  these  fair  atheists  ;  and  now  swim  in  joy. 

Ere  long  to  swim  at  large ;  and  laugh,  for  which 

The  world,  ere  long,  a  world  of  tears  must  weep." 

To  whom  thus  Adam,  of  shoit  joy  bereft : 
"Oh,  ]nty  and  shame,  that  they,  who  to  live  well 
Entered  so  fair,  should  turn  aside  to  tread 
Paths  indirect,  or  in  the  midway  faint! 
Jkit  still  1  see  the  tenor  of  man's  woe 
Holds  on  the  same,  from  woman  to  begin." 

"  From  man's  effeminate  slackness  it  begins," 
Said  the  angel,  "  who  should  better  hold  his  place 
By  wisdom,  and  superior  gifts  received. 
JJut  now  ])re]iare  thee  for  another  scene." 

He  looked,  and  saw  wide  territory  sjiread 
Befoi-c  him  ;  towns,  and  rural  works  between  ; 
Cities  of  men  with  lofty  gates  and  towers. 
Concourse  in  arms,  fierce  faces  threatening  war, 
Giants  of  mighty  bone,  and  bold  emi^rise  ; 
Part  wield  their  arms,  part  curb  the  foaming  steed, 
Single,  or  in  array  of  battle  ranged, 
Both  horse  and  foot;  nor  idly  mustering  stood: 
One  way  a  band  select  from  forage  drives 
A  herd  of  beeves,  fair  oxen  and  fair  kinc, 
P''i"om  a  fat  meadow-groimd  ;  or  fleecy  flock, 
Ewes  and  their  bleating  lambs,  over  the  plain, 
Their  booty  ;  scarce  with  life  the  shepherds  fly 
But  call  in  aid,  Avhieli  makes  a  bloody  fray  : 
With  cruel  tournament  the  squadrons  join  ; 
AMiere  cattle  i)astured  late,  now  scattered  lies 
With  carcasses  and  arms  the  ensangumed  field, 
Deserted.     Others  to  a  city  strong 
Lay  siege,  encamped,  by  battery,  scale,  and  mine, 
Assaulting :  others  from  the  wall  defend, 
With  dart  and  javelin,  stones,  and  sulphurous  fire: 
On  each  haiul  slauuhtcr,  and  p-iiXi^ntic  deeds. 
In  other  part  the  sceptred  heralds  call 
l^o  coimcil,  in  the  city  gates:  anon 


PARADISE    LOST.  209 

Gray-headed  men  and  grave,  witli  warriors  mixed, 
Asseinl)le,  and  liarangues  are  heard  ;  but  soon, 
In  factious  opposition  ;  till  at  hist 
Of  middle  age  one  rising,  eminent 
In  wise  deport,  spake  much  of  right  and  wrong, 
Of  justice,  of  religion,  truth,  and  peace, 
And  judgment  from  above  :  him  old  and  young 
E.\])Iodcd,  and  had  seized  with  violent  hands. 
Had  not  a  cloud  descending  snatched  hira  thence, 
Unseen  amid  the  throng  :  so  violence 
Proceeded,  and  oppression,  and  sword-law, 
Through  all  the  plain  ;  and  refuge  none  was  found. 

Adam  was  all  in  tears,  and  to  his  guide 
Lamenting  turned  full  sad  :  "  Oh,  what  are  these? 
►Death's  ministers,  not  men  !  M'ho  thus  deal  death 
Inhumanly  to  men,  and  multiply 
Ten  thousandfold  the  sin  of  him  who  slew 
His  brother  ;  for  of  whom  such  massacre 
Make  they,  but  of  their  brethren,  men  of  men  ? 
But  who  was  that  just  man,  whom  had  not  Heaven 
Rescued,  had  in  his  righteousness  been  lost  ?  " 

To  whom  thus  Michael :  "  These  are  the  product 
Of  those  ill-mated  marriages  thou  saAv'st; 
Where  good  with  bad  were  matched,  who  of  themselves 
Abhor  to  join  ;  and  by  imprudence  mixed, 
Produce  prodigious  births  of  body  or  mind. 
Such  were  these  giants,  men  of  high  renown; 
For  in  those  days  might  only  shall  be  admired. 
And  valour  and  heroic  virtue  called  : 
To  overcome  in  battle,  and  subdue 
Nations,  and  bring  home  spoils  with  infinite 
Man-slaughter,  shall  be  held  the  highest  ])itch 
Of  human  glory  ;  and  for  glory  done 
Of  triumph,  to  be  styled  great  conquerors, 
Patrons  of  mankind,  gods,  and  sons  of  gods ; 
Destroyers  rightlier  called,  and  phiguesof  men! 
Thus  fame  shall  be  achieved,  renown  on  earth ; 
And  what  most  merits  fame  in  silence  hid. 
But  he,  the  seventh  from  thee,  whom  thou  beheld'st 
The  only  righteous  in  u  world  perverse, 


270  PARADISE    LOST. 

And  therefore  hated,  thei-efore  so  beset 

With  foes,  for  daring  sins-lo  to  be  just, 

And  utter  odious  truth  that  God  would  come 

To  judge  them  with  his  saints ;  him  the  Most  High, 

Rapt  in  a  balmy  cloud  with  \ving6d  steeds, 

Did,  as  thou  saw'st,  receive,  to  walk  with  God 

High  in  salvation  and  the  climes  of  bliss. 

Exempt  from  death,  to  show  thee  what  reward 

AAvaits  the  good,  the  rest  what  punishment, 

Which  now  direct  thine  eyes,  and  suun  behold." 

He  looked,  and  saw  the  face  of  things  quite  changed 
The  brazen  throat  of  war  had  ceased  to  roar : 
All  now  was  turned  to  jollity  and  game, 
To  luxury  and  riot,  feast  and  dance, 
Marrying  or  prostituting,  as  befell. 
Rape  or  adultery,  whore  passing  fair 
Allured  them  ;  thence  from  cups  to  civil  broils. 
At  length  a  reverend  sire  among  them  came, 
And  of  their  doings  great  dislike  declared, 
And  testified  against  their  ways  :  he  oft 
Frequented  their  assemblies,  whereso  met. 
Triumphs,  or  festivals  ;  and  to  them  preached 
Conversion  and  repentance,  as  to  souls 
In  prison,  under  judgments  imminent ; 
But  all  in  vain  !     Which  when  he  saw,  he  ceased 
Contending,  and  remoA^ed  his  tents  far  oiT  : 
Then,  from  the  mountain  hewing  timber  tall, 
Began  to  build  a  vessel  of  huge  bulk. 
Measured  by  cubit,  length,  and  breadth,  and  height ; 
Smeared  round  with  pitch;  and  in  the  side  a  door 
Contrived;  and  of  provisions  laid  in  large, 
For  man  and  beast :  when  lo  !  a  wonder  strange  I 
Of  every  beast,  and  bird,  and  insect  small. 
Came  sevens,  and  pairs  ;  and  entered  in,  as  taught 
Their  order :  last  the  sire,  and  his  three  sons 
With  their  four  wives  :  and  God  made  fast  the  door. 
jNIean  while  the  south-wind  rose,  and,  with  black  wings 
Wide  hovering,  all  the  clouds  together  drove 
From  under  Heaven  :  the  hills,  to  their  supply, 
Vapour  and  exhalation,  dusk  and  moist, 


PAKADTSE    LOST.  271 

Sent  up  amain.     And  no^v  the  thickened  sky 
Like  a  dark  ceiling  stood  :  down  rushed  tlie  rain 
Impetuous ;  and  continued,  till  the  earth 
No  more  was  seen  :  the  iioating  vessel  swum 
Uplifted,  and  secure  with  beaked  prow 
Rode  tilting  o'er  the  waves  :  all  dwellings  else 
Flood  ovei-whelmed,  and  them  witli  all  their  pomp 
Deep  under  Avater  rolled  :  sea  covered  sea, 
Sea  without  shore  :  and  in  their  palaces, 
Where  luxury  late  reigned,  sea-monsters  whelped 
And  stabled  :  of  mankind  (so  numerous  late) 
All  left,  in  one  small  bottom  swum  embarked. 

How  didst  thou  grieve  then,  Adam  !  to  behold 
The  end  of  all  thy  offspring ;  end  so  sad, 
Depopulation  I     Thee  another  flood. 
Of  tears  and  sorrow  a  flood,  thee  also  drowned, 
And  sunk  thee  as  thy  sons  ;  till,  gently  reared 
By  the  angel,  on  thy  feet  thou  stood'st  at  last, 
Though  comfortless  ;  as  when  a  father  mourns 
His  children,  all  in  view  destroyed  at  once  ; 
And  scarce  to  the  angel  uttered'st  thus  thy  plaint: 

"  Oh,  visions  ill  foreseen  !     Better  had  1 
Lived  ignorant  of  future  !  so  had  borne 
My  part  of  evil  only ;  each  day's  lot 
Enough  to  bear :  those  now,  that  were  dispens 
The  burden  of  many  ages,  on  me  light 
At  once,  by  my  foreknowledge  gaining  birth 
Abortive,  to  torment  me,  ere  their  being. 
With  thought  that  they  must  be.     Let  no  man  seek 
Henceforth  to  be  foretold  what  shall  befall 
Him  or  his  children  ;  evil  he  may  be  sure. 
Which  neither  his  foreknowing  can  prevent; 
And  he  the  future  evil  shall,  no  less 
Jn  ajiprfihension  than  in  substance,  feel, 
Grievous  to  bear.     But  that  care  now  is  past ; 
Man  is  not  Avhom  to  warn  :  those  few  escaped 
Famine  and  anguish  will  at  last  consume 
Wandering  that  watery  desert :  I  had  hope 
When  violence  was  ceased,  and  war  on  earth, 
All  would  have  then  gone  well,  peace  would  have  crowned 


272  PARADISE    LOST. 

With  length  of  happy  days  the  race  of  man  ; 
But  I  was  far  deceived ;  for  now  I  see 
Peace  to  corrupt  no  less  than  war  to  waste. 
How  comes  it  thus?  unfold,  celestial  guide, 
And  whether  here  the  race  of  man  will  end." 

To  whom  thus  Michael :  "  Tliose  A\^hom  last  thou  saw'st 
In  triumph  and  luxurious  wealth,  are  they 
First  seen  in  acts  of  prowess  eminent 
And  great  exi)loits,  but  of  true  virtue  void  ; 
Who  having  spilt  much  blood,  and  done  ranch  waste, 
Subduing  nations,  and  achieved  thereby 
Fame  in  the  world,  high  titles,  and  rich  prey. 
Shall  change  their  course  to  pleasure,  ease,  and  sloth, 
Surfeit  and  lust,  till  wantonness  and  pride 
Raise  out  of  friendship  hostile  deeds  in  peace. 
The  conquered  also,  and  enslaved  by  war. 
Shall  with  their  freedom  lost  all  virtue  lose 
And  fear  of  God,  from  whom  their  piety  feigned 
In  sharp  contest  of  battle  found  no  aid 
Against  invaders ;  therefore  cooled  in  zeal. 
Thenceforth  shall  practise  how  to  live  secure, 
Worldly  or  dissolute,  on  what  their  lords 
Shall  leave  them  to  enjoy  ;  for  the  earth  shall  bear 
More  tlian  enough,  that  temperance  may  be  tried  : 
So  all  shall  turn  degenerate,  all  depraved  ; 
Justice  and  temperance,  truth  and  faith,  forgot ; 
One  man  except,  the  only  son  of  light 
In  a  dark  age,  against  example  good. 
Against  allurement,  custom,  and  a  world 
Offended  ;  fearless  of  reproach  and  scorn. 
Or  violence,  he  of  their  wicked  ways 
Shall  them  admonish,  and  before  them  set 
The  paths  of  righteousness,  how  much  more  safe, 
And  full  of  peace  denouncing  wrath  to  come 
On  their  impenitence  ;  and  shall  return 
Of  them  derided,  but  of  God  observed, 
The  one  just  man  alive  ;  by  his  command 
Shall  build  a  wondrous  ark,  as  thou  beheld'st, 
To  save  himself  and  household  from  amidst 
A  world  devote  to  universal  wreck. 


PARADISE    LOST.  27^ 

No  sooner  he  with  them  of  man  and  beast 

Select  for  life  shall  in  the  ark  be  lodged, 

And  sheltered  round,  but  all  the  cataracts 

Of  Heaven  set  open  on  the  eai-th  shall  pour 

Rain  day  and  night ;  all  fountains  of  the  deep 

Broke  uji,  f-hall  heave  the  ocean  to  usurp 

Beyond  all  bounds,  till  inundation  rise 

Above  the  highest  hills:  then  shall  this  mount 

Of  Paradise  by  might  of  Avaves  be  moved 

Out  of  his  place,  pushed  by  the  horned  flood, 

With  all  his  verdure  spoiled,  and  trees  adrift, 

Down  the  great  river  to  the  opening  gulf, 

And  there  take  root  an  island  salt  and  bare. 

The  haunt  of  seals,  and  ores,  and  sea-mews'  clang: 

To  teach  thee  that  God  attributes  to  ])lace 

No  sanctity,  if  none  be  thither  brought 

By  men  who  there  frequent,  or  therein  dwell. 

And  noAV  Avhat  further  shall  ensue,  behold." 

He  looked,  and  saw  the  ark  hull  on  the  flood. 
Which  now  abated  ;  for  the  clouds  were  fled, 
Driven  by  a  keen  north-wind,  that  blowing  dry, 
Wrinkled  the  face  of  deluge,  as  decayed  ; 
And  the  clear  sun  on  his  wide  watery  glass 
Gazed  hot,  and  of  the  fresh  wave  largely  drew, 
As  after  thirst,  which  made  their  flowing  shrink 
From  standing  lake  to  tripping  ebb,  that  stole 
With  soft  foot  towards  the  dfeep,  who  now  had  stopped 
His  sluices,  as  the  Heaven  his  windows  shut. 
The  ark  no  more  now  floats,  but  seems  on  ground, 
Fast  on  the  top  of  some  high  mountain  fixed. 
And  now  the  tops  of  hills  as  rocks  appear  ; 
With  clamour  thence  the  rapid  cun-ents  drive 
Towards  the  retreating  sea  their  furious  tide. 
Forthwith  from  out  tlie  ark  a  raven  flies, 
And,  after  him,  the  surer  messenger, 
A  dove  sent  forth  once  and  again  to  spy 
Green  tree  or  ground  whereon  his  foot  may  light; 
The  second  time  returning,  in  his  bill 
An  olive-leaf  he  brings,  pacific  sign  : 
Anon  dry  ground  appears,  and  from  his  ark 

18 


274  PAKADISK    LOST, 

The  ancient  sii-e  descends  with  all  his  train ; 
Then  with  uplifted  hands,  and  eyes  devout, 
Grateful  to  Heaven,  over  his  liead  beholds 
A  dewy  cloud,  and  in  the  cloud  a  bow 
Conspicuous  with  three  listed  colours  gay. 
Betokening  peace  from  God,  and  covenant  new. 
Whereat  the  lieart  of  Adam,  erst  so  sad. 
Greatly  rejoiced,  and  thus  his  joy  broke  forth: 

"  O  thou  who  future  things  canst  represent 
As  present !  heavenly  instructor  !  I  revive 
At  this  last  sight,  assured  that  man  shall  live 
With  all  the  creatures,  and  their  seed  preserve. 
Far  less  I  now  lament  for  one  whole  M'orld 
Of  wicked  sons  destroyed,  than  I  rejoice 
For  one  man  found  so  perfect  and  so  just. 
That  God  vouchsafes  to  raise  anothei-  world 
From  him,  and  all  his  anger  to  forget. 
But  say,  what  mean  those  coloured  streaks  in  Heaven 
Distended,  as  the  brow  of  God  ajipeased  ? 
Or  serve  they  as  a  Howery  verge  to  bind 
The  fluid  skirts  of  that  same  watery  cloud. 
Lest  it  again  dissolve  and  shower  the  earth  ?" 

To  whom  the  archangel:  "Dexterously  thou  aim'stj 
So  willingly  doth  God  remit  his  ire, 
Though  late  repenting  him  of  man  depraved. 
Grieved  at  his  heart  when  looking  down  he  saw 
Tiic  M^hole  earth  filled  with  violence,  and  all  flesh 
Corrupting  each  their  way;  yet,  those  removed. 
Such  grace  shall  one  just  man  find  in  his  sight, 
That  he  relents,  not  to  blot  out  mankind. 
And  makes  a  covenant  never  to  destroy 
The  earth  again  by  flood,  nor  let  the  sea 
Surpass  his  bounds,  nor  rain  to  drown  the  world 
With  man  therein  or  beast ;  but  -when  he  brings 
Over  the  earth  a  cloud,  will  therein  set 
His  tri])le-coIoured  bow,  Avhereon  to  look, 
And  call  to  mind  his  covenant :  day  and  night, 
Seed-time  and  harvest,  heat  and  hoary  frost, 
Shall  hold  their  course,  till  fire  purge  all  things  new, 
Both  Heaven  and  earth,  wherein  the  just  shall  dwell." 


PAKADISK    LOST.  275 


BOOK  XII. 

THE   A  R  G  U  M  K  N  T . 

The  angel  Michael  continues  from  the  flood  to  relate  what  shall  succeed  ; 
then,  in  the  mention  of  Abraham,  comes  by  degrees  to  explain  who  tliat 
peed  of  the  woman  shall  be,  which  was  promised  Adam  and  Eve  in  the 
fall  ;  his  incarnation,  death,  resurrection,  and  asceusion  ;  the  st:ite  of 
the  church  till  his  second  coming.  Adam,  greatly  satisfied  and  recom- 
forted  bs'  tliese  relations  and  promises,  descends  tlie  hill  witii  Michael  ; 
wakens  Eve,  who  all  this  while  had  slept,  but  with  gentle  dreams  com- 
posed to  quietness  of  mind  and  submission.  Micliael  in  eitlior  hand 
leads  them  out  of  Paradise,  the  fiery  sword  waving  behind  them,  and 
the  clierubim  taking  their  stations  to  guard  the  pkife. 

As  one  who  in  his  journey  bates  at  noon, 

Though  bent  on  speed,  so  here  tlie  archangel  paused 

Betwixt  the  world  destroyed  and  world  restored, 

If  Adam  aught  perhaps  miglit  interpose  ; 

Then  with  transition  sweet  new  speech  resumes : 

"Thus  thou  hast  seen  one  world  begin  and  end ; 
And  man  as  from  a  second  stock  proceed. 
Much  thou  hast  yet  to  see,  but  I  j^erceive 
Thy  mortal  sight  to  fail ;  objects  divine 
Must  needs  impair  and  weary  human  sense  : 
Henceforth  what  is  to  come  I  will  relate, 
Thou,  therefore,  give  due  audience,  and  attend. 
This  second  source  of  men,  while  yet  but  few, 
And  while  the  dread  of  judgment  past  remains 
Fresh  in  tlieir  minds,  fearing  the  Deity, 
With  some  regard  to  what  is  just  and  right 
Shall  lead  their  lives,  and  multiply  apace, 
Labouring  the  soil,  and  reajjing  plenteous  crop, 
Corn,  wine,  and  oil ;  and  from  the  herd  or  tiock, 
Oft  sacrificing  bullock,  lamb,  or  kid, 
With  large  wiue-offeriugs  poured,  and  sacred  feast, 
Shall  spend  their  days  in  joy  unblamed,  and  dwell 


276  PARaDISK    L((yT. 

Longtime  in  peace  by  families  iu\(\  tri«be8 

Under  paternnl  i-iile :  till  one  shall  rise 

Of  proud  ambitious  heart,  who,  not  content 

W^ith  fair  equality,  fraternal  state, 

Will  arrogate  dominion  undeserved 

Over  his  brethren,  and  quite  dispossess 

Concord  and  law  of  nature  from  the  earth, 

Hunting  (and  men,  not  beasts,  shall  be  his  game) 

With  war  and  hostile  snare  such  as  refuse 

Subjection  to  his  empire  tyrannous : 

A  mighty  hunter  thence  he  shall  be  styled 

Before  the  Lord,  as  in  despite  of  Heaven, 

Or  from  Heaven  claiming  second  sovranty ; 

And  from  rebellion  shall  derive  his  name, 

Though  of  rebellion  others  he  accuse. 

He  with  a  crew,  Avhom  like  ambition  joins 

With  him  or  under  him  to  tyrannize. 

Marching  from  Eden  towards  the  west,  sball  find 

The  plain,  wherein  a  black  bituminous  gurge 

Boils  out  from  under  gi'ound,  the  mouth  of  Hell : 

Of  brick,  and  of  that  stuff,  they  cast  to  build 

A  city  and  tower,  whose  top  may  rea(;h  to  Heaven  ; 

And  get  themselves  a  name,  lest,  far  dispersed 

In  foreign  lands,  their  memory  be  lost. 

Regardless  whether  good  or  evil  fame. 

But  God,  who  oft  descends  to  visit  men 

Unseen,  and  through  their  habitations  walks 

To  mark  their  doings,  them  beholding  soon, 

Comes  down  to  see  their  city,  ere  the  tower 

Obstruct  Heaven-towers,  and  in  derision  sets 

Upon  their  tongues  a  various  spirit  to  rase 

Quite  out  their  native  language,  and  instead 

To  sow  a  jangling  noise  of  words  unknown  : 

Forthwith  a  hideous  gabble  rises  loud 

Among  the  builders ;  each  to  other  calls 

Not  understood,  till  hoarse,  and  all  in  rage. 

As  mocked  they  storm  ;  great  laughter  was  in  Heaven, 

And  looking  down,  to  see  the  hubbub  strange, 

And  liear  the  din  ;  thus  was  the  building  left 

Hidiculous,  and  the  work  Confusion  named." 


PARADISK    LOST.  Ii77 

Whereto  thus  Adam,  fatherly'  displeased: 
"  0  execrable  son  !  so  to  aspire 
Above  his  brethren,  to  himself  assuming 
Authority  usurped,  from  God  not  given  ; 
He  gave  ns  only  over  beast,  fish,  fowl, 
dominion  absolute  ;  that  right  we  hold 
By  his  donation.;  but  man  over  men 
He  made  not  lord ;  such  title  to  himself 
Keserving,  human  left  from  human  free. 
But  this  usurper  his  encroachment  proud 
Stays  not  on  man  ;  to  God  his  tower  intends 
Siege  and  defiance.     Wretched  man  !  what  food 
Will  he  convey  up  thither  to  sustain 
Himself  and  his  rash  army,  where  tliin  air 
Above  the  clouds,  will  pine  his  entrails  gross, 
And  famish  him  of  breath,  if  not  of  bread  ?  " 

To  whom  thus  Michael :  "  Justly  thou  abhorr'st 
That  son,  Avho  on  the  quiet  state  of  men 
Such  trouble  brought,  affecting  to  subdue 
Rational  liberty  ;  yet  know  withal. 
Since  thy  oi-iginal  lapse,  true  liberty 
Is  lost,  which  always  with  right  reason  dwells 
Twinned,  and  from  her  hath  no  dividual  being  : 
Keason  in  man  obscured,  or  not  obeyed, 
Immediately  inordinate  desires 
And  u])start  passions  catch  the  government 
From  reason,  and  to  servitude  reduce 
Man,  till  then  free.     Therefore,  since  he  permits 
Witliin  himself  unwoi'thy  powers  to  reign 
Over  free  reason,  God,  in  judgment  just, 
Subjects  him  from  without  to  violent  lords. 
Who  oft  as  undeservedly  enthral 
His  outward  freedom  :  tyranny  must  be, 
Though  to  the  tyrant  thereby  no  excuse. 
Yet  sometimes  nations  will  decline  so  low 
From  virtue,  which  is  reason,  that  no  wrong, 
But  justice,  and  some  fatal  curse  annexed, 
Deprives  them  of  their  outward  liberty. 
Their  inward  lost  :  Avituess  the  irreverent  son 
Of  him  who  built  the  ^rk,  who  for  the  shame 


278  PARAI>I8E    LOST. 

Done  to  his  father,  heard  this  heavy  curse, 

Servant  of  servants,'  on  his  vicious  race. 
Thus  will  this  latter,  as  the  former  A\-orld, 
Still  tend  from  bad  to  worse,  till  God  at  last. 
Wearied  with  their  iniquities,  withdraw 
His  presence  from  among  them,  and  avert 
His  holy  eyes ;  resolving  from  thenceforth 
To  leave  them  to  their  own  polluted  ways ; 
And  one  peculiar  nation  to  select 
From  all  the  rest,  of  whom  to  be  invoked, 
A  nation  from  one  faithful  man  to  spring. 
Him,  on  this  side  Euphrates  yet  residing. 
Bred  up  in  idol  worship  (Oh,  that  men — 
Canst  thou  believe  ? — should  be  so  stupid  grown, 
While  yet  the  patriarch  lived  who  'scaped  the  flood. 
As  to  forsake  the  living  God,  and  fall 
To  worship  their  own  work  in  wood  and  stone 
For  gods !),  yet  him  God  the  Most,  High  vouchsa 
To  call  by  vision,  from  his  father's  house, 
His  kindred,  and  false  gods,  into  a  land 
Which  He  Avill  show  him,  and  from  him  will  raise 
A  mighty  nation  ;  and  upon  him  shower 
His  benediction  so,  that  in  his  seed 
All  nations  shall  be  blest  :  he  straight  obeys, 
Not  knowing  to  what  land,  yet  firm  believes. 
I  see  him  (but  thon  canst  not),  with  what  faith 
He  leaves  his  gods,  his  friends,  and  native  soil, 
Ur  of  Chaldaja,  passing  now  the  ford 
To  Haran  ;  after  him  a  cumbrous  train 
Of  herds,  and  flocks,  and  numerous  servitude  ; 
Not  wandering  poor,  but  trusting  all  his  wealth 
With  God,  who  called  him  in  a  land  unknown. 
Canaan  he  now  attains  :  I  see  his  tents 
Pitched  about  Sichem,  and  the  neighbouring  plain. 
Of  Moreh  ;  there,  by  promise,  he  recieves 
Gift  to  his  progeny  of  all  that  land. 
From  Hamath  nurthward  to  the  desert  south 
(Things  by  their  names  I  call,  though  yet  unnamed) 
From'llermon  east  to  the  great  western  sea  ; 
Mount  Hcrmon,  yonder  sea }  each  place  behold 


PARADISJi    LOST.  'll^ 

In  prospect,  as  I  point  them  ;  on  the  shore 

Mount  Carmcl ;  here  the  double-founted  stream, 

Jordan,  true  limit  eastward  :  but  his  sons 

Shall  dwell  to  Senir,  that  long  ridge  of  hills. 

Tliis  ponder,  that  all  nations  of  the  earth 

Shall  in  his  seed  be  blessed :  by  that  seed 

Is  mennt  thy  great  Deliverer,  who  shall  bruise 

The  seipent's  liead  ;  whereof  to  thee  anon 

Plaiiilier  sliall  be  revealed.     This  patriareh  blest. 

Whom  faithful  Abraham  due  time  shall  call, 

A  son,  and  of  his  son  a  grandchild,  leaves ; 

Like  him  in  faith,  in  wisdom,  and  i-enown. 

The  grandchild,  Avitli  twelve  sons  increased,  departs 

From  Canaan,  to  a  land  hereafter  called 

Egypt,  divided  by  the  river  Nile  : 

See  where  it  flows,  disgorging  at  seven  moutha 

Into  the  sea.     To  sojourn  in  that  land 

He  comes,  invited  by  a  younger  son 

In  time  of  dearth  ;  a  son,  whose  worthy  deeds 

Raise  him  to  be  the  second  in  that  realm 

Of  Pharaoh  :  there  he  dies,  and  leaves  his  race 

Growing  into  a  nation  ;  and,  now  grown. 

Suspected  to  a  sequent  king,  who  seeks 

To  stop  their  overgrowth,  as  inmate  guests 

Too  numerous  ;  whence  of  guests  he  maltes  them  slaves 

Inhospitably ;  and  kills  their  infant  males  : 

Till  by  two  brethren  (these  two  brethren  call 

Moses  and  Aaron)  sent  from  God  to  claim 

His  people  from  enthralment,  they  return 

With  glory,  and  spoil,  back  to  their  promised  land. 

But  first  the  lawless  tyrant,  who  denies 

To  know  their  God,  or  message  to  regard, 

Must  be  compelled  by  signs,  and  judgments  dire ; 

To  blood  unshed  the  rivei's  must  be  turned ; 

Frogs,  lice,  and  flies,  must  all  his  palace  fill 

With  loathed  intrusion,  and  fill  all  the  land  ; 

His  cattle  must  of  rot  and  murrain  die  ; 

Botches  and  blains  must  all  his  flesh  emboss. 

And  all  liis  people  ;  thunder  mixed  with  hail, 

Hail  mixed  with  fire^  must  rend  the  Egyptian  sky, 


280  PARADISE    LOST. 

And  wheel  on  the  earth,  devouring  where  It  rolls 

What  it  devours  not,  herb,  or  fruit,  or  grain, 

A  darksome  cloud  of  locusts  swarming  down 

Must  eat,  and  on  the  ground  leave  nothing  green ; 

Darkness  must  overshadow  all  his  bounds, 

Palpable  darkness,  and  blot  out  three  days  : 

Last,  witli  one  midniglit-stroke,  all  the  first-born 

Of  Egypt  must  lie  dead.     Thus  witli  ten  wounda 

The  river-dragon  tamed  at  length  submits 

To  let  his  sojourners  depart,  and  oft 

Humbles  his  stubborn  heart,  but  still,  as  ice 

IMore  hardened  after  thaw  :  till  in  his  rage 

Pursuing  whom  he  late  dismissed,  the  sea 

Swallows  him  with  his  host,  but  them  lets  pass. 

As  on  di-y  land,  between  tAvo  crystal  walls, 

Awed  by  the  rod  of  Moses  so  to  stand 

Divided,  till  his  rescued  gain  their  shore  : 

Such  Avondrous  power  God  to  his  saint  Avilllend, 

Though  pi-csent  in  his  angel,  who  shall  go 

Before  them  in  a  cloud,  and  pillar  of  fire  • 

(By  day  a  cloud,  by  night  a  pillar  of  fire), 

To  guide  them  in  their  journey,  and  remove 

Behind  them,  Avhile  the  obdurate  king  pursues. 

All  night  he  Avill  jnirsue  ;  but  his  approach 

Darkness  defends  between,  till  morning  Avatch ; 

Then  through  the  fiery  pillar,  and  the  cloud, 

God  looking  forth  will  trouble  all  his  host, 

And  craze  their  chariot-wdieels :  when,  by  command, 

Moses  once  more  his  potent  rod  extends 

Over  the  sea  ;  the  sea  his  rod  obeys  ; 

On  their  embattled  ranks  the  Avaves  return, 

And  overAvhelm  their  Avar.     The  race  elect, 

Safe  tOAvards  Canaan,  from  the  shore  advance 

Through  the  Avild  desert ;  not  the  readiest  Avay, 

Lest,  entering  on  the  Cauaanite  alarmed, 

Wnr  terrify  them  inexpert,  and  fear 

Return  them  back  to  Egypt,  choosing  rather 

Inglorious  life  with  servitude ;  for  life 

To  noble  and  igtioble  is  more  sweet 

Ifntraiued  in  arms,  where  rashness  leads  Jiot  on. 


PARADISE    LOST.  281 

This  also  shall  they  gain  by  their  delay 

In  tlie  wide  wilderness :  there  they  shall  fonnd 

Their  government,  and  their  great  senate  choose 

Through  the  twelve  tribes,  to  rule  by  laws  ordained. 

God  from  the  mount  of  Sinai  (Avhose  gray  top 

Shall  tremble,  he  descending)  Avill  himself 

In  thunder,  lightning,  and  loud  trum]>ets'  sound 

Ordain  them  laws ;  part,  such  as  appertain 

To  civil  justice,  part,  religious  rites 

Of  sacrifice  ;  informing  them,  by  types 

And  shadows,  of  that  destined  Seed  to  bruise 

The  serpent,  i)y  what  means  he  shall  achieve 

Mankind's  deliverance  :  but  tlie  voice  of  God 

To  mortal  ear  is  dreadful ;  they  beseech 

That  Moses  might  report  to  them  his  will, 

And  terror  cease  :  he  grants  what  they  besought, 

Instructed  that  to  God  is  no  access 

Without  Mediator,  whose  high  office  now  . 

Moses  in  figure  bears,  to  introduce 

One  greater,  of  whose  day  he  shall  foretell ; 

And  all  the  prophets  in  their  age  the  times 

Of  great  Messiah  shall  sing.     Tims  laws  and  rites 

Established,  such  delight  hath  God  in  men 

Obedient  to  his  will,  that  he  vouchsafes 

Among  them  to  set  up  his  tabernacle. 

The  IIolv  One  Avith  mortal  men  to  dwell. 

By  his  prescript  a  sanctuary  is  framed 

Of  cedar,  overlaid  with  gold;  therein 

An  ark,  and  in  the  ark  his  testimony, 

The  records  of  his  covenant ;  over  these 

A  mercy-seat  of  gold,  between  the  wings 

Of  two  bright  cherubim  ;  before  him  burn 

Se\  en  lam])s,  as  in  a  zodiac  representing 

The  heavenly  fires ;  over  the  tent  a  cloud 

Shall  rest  by  day,  a  fiery  gleam  by  night. 

Save  when  they  journey :  and  at  length  they  come, 

Conducted  by  his  angel,  to  the  land 

Promised  to  Abraham  and  his  seed.     The  rest 

Were  long  to  tell;  how  many  battles  fought; 

}{<>w  iiKtiiv  kiuGfS  destroA^ed,  and  kinmioms  won  ; 


282  PARADISE    LOST. 

Or  how  the  sun  shall  in  mid-heaven  stand  still 
A  day  entire,  and  night's  due  course  adjourn, 
Man's  voice  commanding,  '  Sun,  in  Gibeon  stand, 
And  thou,  moon,  in  the  vale  of  Ajalon, 
Till  Israel  overcome  ! '  so  called  the  third 
From  Abraliam,  son  of  Isaac  ;  and  from  him 
His  whole  descent,  who  thus  shall  Canaan  win." 

Here  Adam  interposed  :  "O  sent  from  Heaven, 
Enlight'ner  of  my  darkness  !  gracious  things 
Thou  hast  revealed  ;  those  chiefly,  which  concern 
Just  Abraham  and  his  seed  :  now  first  I  find 
Mine  eyes  true  opening,  and  my  heart' much  eased, 
Erewhilc  perplexed  with  thoughts  what  would  become 
Of  me  and  all  mankind  ;  but  now  I  see 
His  day,  in  whom  all  nations  shall  be  blest. 
Favour  unmerited  by  me,  who  sought 
Forbidden  knowledge  by  forbidden  means. 
This  yet  I  apprehend  not,  why  to  those 
Among  whom  God  will  deign  to  dwell  on  earth 
So  many  and  so  various  laws  are  given  ; 
So  many  laws  argue  so  many  sins 
Among  them  ;  how  can  God  with  such  reside  ?" 

To  whom  thus  Michael :  "  Doubt  not  but  that  sin 
Will  reign  among  them,  as  of  thee  begot ; 
And  therefore  was  law  given  them  to  evince 
Their  natural  pravity,  by  stirring  up 
Sin  against  law  to  fight :  that  when  they  see 
Law  can  discover  sin,  but  not  remove. 
Save  by  those  shadowy  expiations  weak, 
The  blood  of  bulls  and  goats,  they  may  conclude 
Some  blood  more  ])rccious  must  be  paid  for  man, 
Just  for  unjust,  that  in  such  righteousness, 
To  them  by  faith  imputed,  they  may  find 
Justification  towards  God,  and  peace 
Of  conscience,  which  the  law  by  ceremonies 
Cannot  apjjease,  nor  man  the  moral  part 
Perform ;  and,  not  performing,  cannot  live. 
So  law  appears  imperfect,  and  but  given 
With  purpose  to  resign  them  in  full  time 
Up  to  a  better  covenant ;  disciplined 


PARADISE    LOST.  283 

From  shadowy  types  to  truth  ;  from  flesh  to  spirit  5 

From  imposition  of  strict  laws  to  free 

Acceptance  of  large  grace ;  from  servile  fear 

To  filial ;  works  of  law  to  works  of  faith. 

And  therefore  shall  not  Moses,  though  of  God 

Highly  beloved,  being  but  the  minister 

Of  law,  his  people  into  Canaan  lead  ; 

But  Joshua,  whom  the  Gentiles  Jesus  call, 

His  name  and  otlice  bearing,  who  shall  quell 

The  adversary  serpent,  and  bring  back 

Through  the  Avorld's  wilderness  long-wandered  man 

Safe  to  eternal  Paradise  of  rest. 

Meanwhile  they,  in  their  earthly  Canaan  placed, 

Long  time  shall  dwell  and  prosper,  but  when  sins 

National  interrupt  their  public  peace, 

Provoking  God  to  raise  them  enemies ; 

From  whom  as  oft  he  saves  them  penitent, 

By  judges  first,  then  under  kings ;  of  whom 

The  second,  both  for  piety  renowned 

And  puissant  deeds,  a  promise  shall  receive 

Irrevocable,  that  his  regal  thi-one 

For  ever  shall  endure  ;  the  like  shall  sing 

All  prophecy,  that  of  the  royal  stock 

Of  David  (so  I  name  this  king)  shall  rise 

A  son,  the  woman's  seed  to  thee  foretold, 

Foretold  to  Abraham,  as  in  whom  shall  trust 

All  nations ;  and  to  kings  foretold,  of  kings 

The  last ;  for  of  his  reign  shall  be  no  end. 

But  first,  a  long  succession  must  ensue, 

And  his  next  son,  for  wealth  and  wisdom  famed, 

The  clouded  ark  of  God,  till  then  in  tents 

Wandering,  shall  in  a  glorious  tem])le  enshrine. 

Such  follow  him  as  shall  be  registered, 

Part  good,  part  bad,  of  bad  the  longer  scroll, 

Whose  foul  idolatries,  and  other  faults 

Heaped  to  the  popular  sum,  will  so  incense 

God,  as  to  leave  them,  and  expose  their  land, 

Their  city,  his  temple,  and  his  holy  ark. 

With  all  his  sacred  things,  a  scorn  and  prey 

To  that  proud  city,  whose  high  walls  thou  saw'st 


284  PARADISE    LOST. 

Left  in  confusion,  Babylon  thence  called. 

There  in  captivity  he  lets  them  dwell 

The  space  of  seventy  years,  then  brings  them  back 

Kcmembering  mercv,  and  liis  covenant  sworn 

To  David,  stablished  as  tlie  days  of  Heaven. 

Hoturned  from  Babylon  bv  leave  of  kings, 

Tlieir  lords,  -wl'.om  God  disposed,  the  house  of  God 

Tlicy  first  re-edify,  and  for  a  wliilc 

In  mean  estate  live  moderate ;  till,  grown 

In  wealth  and  multitude,  factious  they  grow  ; 

But  first  among  the  priests  dissension  springs  ; 

i\Ien  who  attend  the  altar,  and  should  most 

Endeavour  peace  :  their  strife  pollution  brings 

Upon  the  temple  itself :  at  last  they  seize 

The  sceptre,  and  regard  not  David's  sons, 

Tlien  lose  it  to  a  stranger,  that  the  true 

Anointed  King,  Messiah,  might  be  born 

Barred  of  his  right ;  yet  at  his  birth  a  star. 

Unseen  before  in  Heaven,  jDroclaims  him  come, 

And  guides  the  eastern  sages,  who  inquire 

His  place,  to  offer  incense,  myrrh,  and  gold  : 

His  place  of  birth  a  solemn  angel  tells 

To  siuiple  shepherds,  keeping  watch  by  night ; 

They  gladly  thither  haste,  and  by  a  quire 

Of  squadroned  angels  hear  his  carol  sung. 

A  virgin  is  his  mother,  but  his  sire 

The  po'\^'er  of  the  Most  High  ;  he  shall  ascend 

The  throne  hereditary,  and  bound  his  reign 

AVith  earth's  Avide  bounds,  his  glory  with  the  Heavens." 

He  ceased,  discerning  Adam  with  such  joy 
Surchargerl,  as  had  like  grief  been  dewed  in  tears, 
Without  the  vent  of  words,  which  these  he  breathed  : 

"O  projihct  of  glad  tidings!  finisher 
Of  utmost  ho])e  !  now  clear  I  understand 
What  oft  my  steadiest  thoughts  liave  searched  in  vain  ; 
Why  our  great  expectation  should  be  called 
'  The  seed  of  woman.'     Virgin  mother,  hail  ! 
High  in  the  love  of  Heaven  !  yet  from  my  loins 
Thou  shalt  proceed,  and  from  thy  womb  the  Son 
Of  God  Most  High  ;  so  God  Avith  man  unites. 


PARADISE    LOST.  285 

Needs  must  the  serpent  now  his  capital  bruise 
Ex])ect  witli  mortal  ]»ain  :  say  Avhere  and  when 
Their  fight,  what  stroke  shall  bruise  the  victor's  heel." 
To  whom  thus  Michael :  "  Dream  not  of  their  fight 
As  of  a  duel,  or  the  local  wounds 
Of  head  or  heel  :  not  therefore  joins  the  Son 
Manhood  to  Godhead,  with  more  strength  to  foil 
Thy  enemy  ;  nor  so  is  overcome 
Satan,  whose  fall  from  Heavtn,  a  deadlier  bruise. 
Disabled  not  to  give  thee  thy  death's  wound  : 
Which  he,  who  comes  thy  Saviour,  shall  re-cure, 
Not  by  destroying  Satan,  but  his  works 
In  thee  and  in  thy  seed:  nor  can  this  bo, 
But  by  fulfilling  that  which  thou  didst  want, 
Obedience  to  tlie  law  of  God,  imposed 
On  penalty  of  death,  and  suffering  death, 
The  jienalty  to  thy  transgression  due. 
And  due  to  theirs  which  out  of  thine  will  grow: 
So  only  can  high  justice  rest  appaid. 
The  law  of  God  exact  he  shall  fulfil 
Both  by  obedience  and  by  love,  though  love 
Alone  fulfil  the  law ;  thy  punishment 
He  shall  endure  by  coming  in  the  flesh 
To  a  reproachful  life  and  cursed  death, 
Proclaiming  life  to  all  who  shall  believe 
In  his  redemption,  and  that  his  obedience 
Imjiuted  becomes  theirs  by  faith,  his  merits 
To  save  them,  not  their  own,  though  legal,  works. 
For  this  he  shall  live  hated,  be  blasphemed, 
Seized  on  by  force,  judged,  and  to  death  condemned 
A  shameful  and  accursed  ;  nailed  to  the  cross 
By  his  own  nation  ;  slain  for  bringing  life  : 
But  to  the  cross  he  nails  thy  enemies,. 
The  law  that  is  against  thee,  and  the  sins 
Of  all  mankind,  with  him  there  crucified, 
Never  to  hurt  them  more  who  riglitly  trust 
In  this  his  satisfaction  :  so  he  dies. 
But  soon  revives  ;  death  over  him  no  power 
Siiall  long  usurp;  ere  tlic  third  dawning  light 
Return,  the  stars  of  morn  shall  see  him  rise 


286  PARADISE   LOST. 

Out  of  his  grave,  fresh  as  the  dawning  light, 

Thy  ransom  paid,  which  man  from  death  redeems, 

His  death  for  man,  as  many  as  offered  life 

Neglect  not,  and  the  benefit  embrace 

By  faith  not  void  of  works  :  this  God-like  act 

Annuls  thy  doom,  the  death  thou  shouldst  have  died 

In  sin  for  ever  lost  from  life  ;  this  act 

Shall  bruise  the  head  of  Satan,  crush  his  strength, 

Defeating  sin  and  death,  his  two  main  arms. 

And  fix  far  deeper  in  his  head  their  stings 

Than  temporal  death  shall  bruise  the  victor's  heel, 

Or  theirs  whom  he  redeems,  a  death  like  sleep, 

A  gentle  wafting  to  immortal  life. 

Nor  after  resurrection  shall  he  stay 

Longer  on  earth  than  certain  times  to  appear 

To  his  disciples,  men  who  in  his  life 

Still  followed  him  ;  to  them  shall  leave  in  charge 

To  teach  all  nations  what  of  him  they  learned 

And  his  salvation,  them  who  shall  believe. 

Baptizing  in  the  profluent  stream,  the  sign 

Of  washing  them  from  guilt  of  sin  to  life 

Pure,  and  in  mind  prepared,  if  so  befall. 

For  death,  like  that  which  the  Redeemer  died. 

All  nations  they  shall  teach ;  for,  from  that  day, 

Not  only  to  the  sons  of  Abraham's  loins 

Salvation  shall  be  preached,  but  to  the  sons 

Of  Abraham's  faith  wherever  through  the  world; 

So  in  his  seed  all  nations  shall  be  blest. 

Then  to  the  Heaven  of  Heavens  he  shall  ascend 

With  victory,  triumphing  through  the  air 

Over  his  foes  and  thine  ;  there  shall  surprise 

The  serpent,  prince  of  air,  and  drag  in  chains 

Through  all  his  realm,  and  there  confounded  leave  ; 

Then  enter  into  glory,  and  resume 

His  seat  at  God's  right  hand,  exalted  high 

Above  all  names  in  lleaven  ;  and  thence  shall  come, 

When  this  world's  dissolution  shall  be  ripe. 

With  glory  and  power  to  judge  both  quick  and  dead  ; 

To  judge  the  unfaithful  dead,  but  to  reward 

His  faithful,  and  receive  them  into  bliss. 


PARAPIRE    LOST.  287 

Whether  in  Heaven  or  earth ;  for  then  the  earth 
Slinll  all  be  Paradise,  far  happier  place 
Tlian  this  of  Eden,  and  far  happier  days." 

So  spake  the  archangel  Michael ;  then  paused, 
As  at  the  world's  great  period  ;  and  our  sire, 
Rei)lete  with  joy  and  wonder,  thus  ro]ilied  : 

"  Oil,  goodness  infinite  !  goodness  iinineuse  ! 
That  all  this  good  of  evil  shall  produce, 
And  evil  turn  to  good  ;  more  wonderful 
Than  that  which  by  creation  first  brought  forth 
Light  out  of  darkness  ;  full  of  doubt  I  stand, 
Whether  I  should  repent  nie  now  of  sin 
By  me  done  and  occasioned,  or  rejoice 
Much  more,  that  much  more  good  thereof  shall  sjring; 
To  God  more  glory,  more  good- will  to  men 
From  God,  and  over  wrath  grace  shall  abound. 
But  say,  if  our  Deliverer  up  to  Heaven 
Must  reascend,  Avhat  will  betide  the  few 
His  faithful,  left  among  the  unfaithful  herd, 
Tlie  enemies  of  truth  '?     Who  then  shall  guide 
His  people?  who  defend  ?     Will  they  not  deal 
Worse  with  his  followers  than  with  him  they  dealt?" 

"  Be  sure  they  will,"  said  the  angel ;  "  but  from  Heaven 
He  to  his  own  a  Comforter  will  send, 
The  promise  of  the  Father,  who  shall  dwell 
His  Spirit  witliin  them,  and  the  law  of  faith 
Working  through  love,  upon  their  hearts  shall  write, 
To  guide  them  in  all  truth,  and  also  arm 
With  spiritual  armour,  able  to  resist 
Satan's  assaults,  and  quench  his  fiery  darts  : 
What  man  can  do  against  them,  not  afraid, 
Though  to  the  death ;  against  such  cruelties 
With  inward  consolations  recompensed, 
And  oft  supported  so  as  shall  amaze 
Their  proudest  persecutors  ;  for  the  Spirit, 
Poured  first  on  his  apostles,  whom  he  sends 
To  evangelize  the  nations,  then  on  all 
Baptized,  shall  them  with  wondrous  gifts  endue 
To  spoak  all  tongues,  and  do  all  miracles. 
As  did  their  Lord  before  tlicm.     Thus  they  win 


288  PARADISE    LOST. 

Great  numbers  of  each  nation  to  receive 

"With  joy  the  tidings  brought  from  Heaven  :  at  length 

Their  ministry  performed,  and  race  well  run, 

Their  doctrine  and  their  story  written  left. 

They  die ;  but  in  their  room,  as  they  forewarn, 

Wolves  shall  succeed  for  teachers,  grievous  wolves, 

Who  all  the  sacred  mysteries  of  Heaven 

To  their  own  vile  advantages  shall  turn 

Of  lucre  and  ambition,  and  the  truth 

With  superstitions  and  traditions  taint 

Left  only  in  those  written  recoi-ds  pure. 

Though  not  but  by  the  Spirit  understood. 

Then  shall  they  seek  to  avail  themselves  of  names, 

Places,  and  titles,  and  with  these  to  join 

Secular  power,  though  feigning  still  to  act 

By  spiritual,  to  themselves  appropriating 

The  S]»ii-it  of  God,  promised  alike  and  given 

To  all  believe]-s  ;  and  from  that  pretence, 

Spiritual  laws  by  carnal  power  shall  force 

On  every  conscience  ;  laws  which  none  shall  find 

Left  them  enrolled,  or  what  the  Spirit  within 

Shall  on  the  heart  engrave.     What  will  they  then 

But  force  the  Spirit  of  grace  itself,  and  bind 

His  consort  libei-ty?  what,  but  unbuild 

His  living  temples,  built  by  faith  to  stand. 

Their  own  faith,  not  another's?  for  on  earth 

Who  against  faith  and  conscience  can  be  heard 

Infallible  ?  yet  many  will  presume  : 

Whence  heavy  persecution  shall  arise 

On  all  who  in  the  worship  persevere 

Of  spirit  and  truth  ;  the  rest,  far  greater  part. 

Will  deem  in  outward  rites  and  specious  forms 

Religion  satisfied  ;  truth  shall  retire 

Bestruck  with  slanderous  darts,  and  works  of  faith 

Rarely  be  found :  so  shall  the  world  go  on, 

To  good  malignant,  to  bad  men  benign. 

Under  her  own  weight  groaning,  till  the  day 

Appear  of  respiration  to  the  just. 

And  vengeance  to  the  wicked,  at  return 

Of  him  so  lately  promised  to  thy  aid, 


PARADIRK    XOST.  28d 

The  woman's  Seed,  obscurely  then  foretokl, 
Now  ain])lier  known  tliy  Saviour  and  tliy  Lord, 
Last  in  the  clouds  from  Heaven  to  be  revealed 
In  glory  of  the  Father,  to  dissolve 
Satan  with  his  ])crverted  world,  then  raise 
From  the  conllagraiit  mass,  purged  and  letined, 
New  heavens,  new  earth,  ages  of  endless  date 
Founded  in  righteousiiess  and  ])eace  and  love, 
To  bring  forth  fruits,  joy,  and  eternal  bliss." 

He  ended ;  and  thus  Adam  last  replied  : 
*'  How  soon  hath  thy  prediction,  seer  blest. 
Measured  this  transient  Avorld,  the  race  of  time. 
Till  time  stand  fixed  !     Beyond  is  all  abyss. 
Eternity,  whose  end  no  eye  can  reach. 
Greatly  instructed,  I  shall  hence  depart, 
Greatly  in  peace  of  thought,  and  have  my  fill 
Of  knowledge,  what  this  vessel  can  contain  ; 
Beyond  which  was  my  folly  to  aspire. 
IlenceforthfT  learn  that  to  obey  is  best, 
And  love  with  fear  the  only  God,  to  walk 
As  in  his  presence,  ever  to  observe 
His  providence,  and  on  him  sole  depend, 
Merciful  over  all  his  works,  with  good 
Still  overcoming  evil,  and  by  small 
Accomplishing  great  things ;  by  things  deemed  weak 
Sid^verting  worldly  strong;  and  worldly  wise 
By  simply  meek :  that  suffering  for  truth's  sake 
Is  fortitude  to  highest  victory. 
And  to  the  faithful  death  the  gate  of  life : 
Taught  this  by  his  exam])le,  Avhom  I  now 
AcknoAvledge  my  Redeemer  ever  blest."|^ 

To  whom  thus  also  the  angel  last  rejmed  : 
"This  having  learned,  thou  hast  nttained  the  sura 
Of  wisdom:  hope  no  liigher,  though  all  the  stars 
Thou  knew'st  by  name,  and  all  the  ethei-eal  powers. 
All  secrets  of  the  deep,  all  nature's  works, 
Or  works  of  God  in  Heaven,  air,  earth,  or  sea, 
And  all  the  riches  of  this  world  enjoyedst. 
And  all  the  rule,  one  empire ;  only  add 
J3eeds  to  thy  knowledge  answerable  ;  add  faith, 

19 


290  PARADISE    LOST. 

Add  virtue,  patience,  temperance  ;  add  love. 

By  name  to  come  called  charity,  the  soul 

Of  all  the  rest :  then  wilt  thou  not  be  loth 

To  leave  this  Paradise,  but  shalt  ])ossess 

A  Paradise  within  thee,  happier  far. 

Let  us  descend  now,  therefore,  from  this  top 

Of  s])eculation  ;  for  the  hour  precise 

Exacts  our  parting  hence  ;  and  see,  the  guards, 

By  me  encamped  on  yonder  hill,  expect 

Their  motion,  at  whose  front  a  flaming  sword, 

In  signal  of  remove,  waves  fiercely  round  ; 

We  may  no  longer  stay  :  go,  waken  Eve  ; 

Her  also  I  with  gentle  dreams  have  calmed 

Portending  good,  and  all  her  spirits  composed 

To  meek  submission  :  thou  at  season  fit 

Let  her  with  thee  partake  what  thou  hast  heard. 

Chiefly  what  may  concern  her  faith  to  know. 

The  great  deliverance  by  her  seed  to  come 

(For  by  the  woman's  seed)  on  all  mankind : 

That  ye  may  live,  which  will  be  many  days, 

Both  in  one  faith  unanimous,  though  sad. 

With  cause,  for  evils  ])ast,  yet  much  more  cheered 

With  meditation  on  the  happy  end." 

He  ended,  and  they  both  descend  the  hill ; 
Descended,  Adam  to  the  bower  where  Eve 
Lay  sleeping  ran  before,  but  found  her  waked  ; 
And  thus  with  words  not  sad  she  him  received  : 

"  Whence  thou  return'st,  and  whither  went'st,  I  know  ; 
For  God  is  also  in  sleep  ;  and  dreams  advise. 
Which  he  hath  sent  jiropitious,  some  great  good 
Presaging,  since,  with  sorrow  and  heart's  distress, 
AVearicd  I  fell  asleep  :  biit  now  lead  on ; 
In  me  is  no  delay ;  with  thee  to  go. 
Is  to  stay  here  ;  without  thee  here  to  stay, 
Is  to  go  hence  unwilling ;  thou  to  me 
Art  all  things  under  Heaven,  all  places  thou, 
Who  for  my  wilful  crime  art  banished  hence. 
This  further  consolation,  yet  secure, 
I  carry  hence  ;  though  all  by  me  is  lost, 
Such  favour  I  unworthy  am  vouchsafed, 


PAItADISE    LOST.  291 

By  mc  the  promised  Seed  sliall  all  restore ! " 

So  spake  our  mother  P^ve,  and  Adam  heard, 
Well  pleased,  but  answered  not ;  for  now  too  uigh 
Tlie  archangel  stood,  a)K'l  from  the  other  hill 
T~  their  fixed,  station,  all  in  bright  an-ay, 
The  cherubim  descended;  on  tlie  ground, 
Gilding  meteorous,  as  evening  mist. 
Risen  from  a  river,  o'er  the  mai-ish  glides, 
And  gathers  gi-ouiid  fast  at  the  labourer's  heel, 
Homeward  returning.     High  in  front  advanced, 
The  brandished  sword  of  God  before  them  blazed, 
Fierce  as  a  comet,  which  with  torrid  heat. 
And  vapour  as  the  Lybian  air  adust, 
Began  to  parch  that  tem]jerate  clime  ;  whereat, 
In  either  hand  the  hastening  angel  caught 
Our  lingering  parents,  and  to  the  eastern  gate 
Led  them  direct,  and  down  the  cliff  as  fast 
To  the  subjected  ])lain  ;  then  disappeared. 
They,  looking  back,  all  the  eastern  side  beheld 
Of  Paradise,  so  late  their  happy  seat. 
Waved  over  by  that  flaming  brand  ;  the  gate, 
With  dreadful  faces  thronged,  and  fiery  arms  : 
Some  natural  tears  they  dropj^ed,  but  wiped  them  soon; 
The  world  was  all  before  them,  where  to  choose 
Their  place  of  rest,  and  Providence  their  guide ; 
They,  hand  in  hand,  with  wandering  stejis  and  sloW| 
Through  Eden  took  their  solitary  way. 


PARADISE    REGAINED. 


BOOK  I. 


AEGUMENT. 


The  subject  proposed.  Invocation  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  John  baptizing  at 
the  river  Jord.'iu.  Jesus  coming  there,  is  baptized;  and  is  attested  by 
the  descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  by  a  voice  from  lieaven,  to  be  tlie  Son 
of  God.  Satan,  who  is  present,  fiies  up  into  the  regions  of  tlie  air  ; 
where,  summoning  his  infernal  council,  heacqu.aints  them  with  his  appre- 
hensions that  Jesus  is  that  seed  of  the  woman  destined  to  destroy  all  their 
power,  and  points  out  to  them  the  necessity  of  bringing  the  matter  to  proof, 
and  of  attemjiting  to  counteract  and  defeat  the  person  from  whom  they  have 
so  much  to  dread.  This  office  he  undertakes,  and  sets  out  on  his  enter- 
prise. In  the  meantiuie,  God,  in  tlio  assembly  of  lioly  angels,  declares 
that  he  has  given  up  his  Son  to  be  tempted  by  Satan;  but  foretells  that 
the  tempter  sliall  be  completely  defeated  by  him:  upi)n  which  the  angels 
sing  a  hymn  of  triumpli.  Jesus  is  led  up  by  the  Spirit  into  the  wilder- 
ness, while  he  is  meditating  on  tlie  commencement  of  his  great  office  of 
Saviour  of  mankind.  He  narrates,  in  a  soliloquy,  wliat  divine  and 
philanthropic  impulses  he  had  felt  from  liis  early  youtli,  and  how  his 
mother,  Mary,  liad  acquainted  him  with  the  circumstances  of  his  birtli, 
and  informed  him  tliat  he  was  no  less  a  person  tlum  the  Son  of  God;  to 
which  he  adds  what  his  own  reflections  and  inquiries  had  supplied,  in 
confirmation  of  this  great  truth,  and  particularly  dwells  on  the  recent 
attestation  of  it  at  the  river  Jordan.  Our  lord  passes  forty  days,  fasting, 
in  the  wilderness  ;  wliere  the  wild  beasts  become  liaruiless  in  his  pres- 
ence. Satan  now  ajipears  under  the  form  of  an  old  ]ica.sant,  and  enters 
into  discourse  with  our  Lord.  Jesus  replies,  Satan  rejoins  with  a  descrip- 
tion of  the  difficulty  of  supporting  life  in  the  wilderness :  and  entreats  Jesiis, 
if  he  be  really  the  Son  of  God,  to  manifest  his  divine  power  by  changing 
some  of  the  stones  into  bread.  Jesus  reproves  him,  and,  .it  the  same 
time,  tells  him  that  he  knows  who  he  is.  Satan  avows  hiiusell',  and 
offers  an  artful  apology.  Our  blessed  Lord  severely  reprimands  him, 
and  confutes  every  part  of  liis  justilication.  Satan  still  endeavours  to 
justify  liii!i:;elf ;  and,  professing  his  adminition  of  Jesus,  and  his  regard 
for  virtue,  requests  to  be  permitted  at  a  future  time  to  hear  uioie  of  liis 
conver.sation  ;  but  is  answered,  tliat  this  must  be  as  he  .shall  find  per- 
mission froni  above.  Satan  then  disappears,  and  the  book  closes  with 
a  short  description  of  night  coming  on  in  the  desert. 

I,  WHO  erewhile  the  happy  garden  sung, 
By  one  man's  disobedience  lost,  now  sing 
Recovered  Paradise  to  all  mankind,. 


PAKADISK    KEGAIMKD.  293 

By  one  man's  firm  obedience  fully  tried 
Through  nil  teraptiition,  and  the  tein])ter  foiled 
In  all  his  wiles,  defeated  and  repulsed, 
And  Eden  raised  in  the  waste  wilderness. 

Thou  Spirit,  who  ledst  this  glorious  eremite 
Into  the  desert,  his  rictorious  Held, 
Against  the  spiritual  foe,  and  brought  him  thence. 
By  ]iroof  the  undoubted  Son  of  God,  inspire. 
As  thou  art  wont,  my  prompted  song,  else  mute. 
And  bear  through  height  or  depth  of  nature's  bounds, 
With  ])rosperous  wing  full  summed,  to  tell  of  deeds 
Above  heroic,  though  in  secret  done. 
And  unrecorded  left  through  many  an  age; 
Worthy  to  have  not  remained  so  long  unsung. 

Now  had  the  great  proclaimer,  Avith  a  voice 
More  awful  than  the  sound  of  trumpet,  cried 
Kepentance,  and  Heaven's  kingdom  )iigh  at  hand, 
To  all  baptized  :  to  his  great  baptism  Hocked 
With  awe  the  regions  round,  and  \vith  them  came 
From  Nazareth  the  son  of  Joseph  deemed 
To  the  flood  Jordan,  came  as  then  obscure, 
Unmarked,  unknown  ;  but  him  the  Baptist  soon 
Descried,  divinely  warned,  and  witness  bore 
As  to  his  worthier,  and  would  have  resigned 
To  him  bis  heavenly  office,  nor  was  long 
His  witness  unconfirmed  :  on  him  baptized 
Heaven  opened,  and,  in  likeness  of  a  dove, 
The  S))irit  descended,  while  the  Father's  voice 
From  Heaven  pronounced  him  his  beloved  Son. 
That  heard  the  adversaiy,  who,  roving  still 
About  the  world,  at  that  assemblv  famed 
Would  not  be  last ;  and  with  the  voice  divine 
Nigh  thunder-struck,  the  exalted  Man,  to  whom 
Such  high  attest  was  given,  a  while  surveyed 
With  wonder;  then,  with  envy  fraught  and  rage. 
Flies  to  his  place,  nor  rests,  but  in  mid  air 
To  council  summons  all  his  mighty  peers, 
Within  thick  clouds,  and  dark,  tenfold  involved, 
A  gloomy  consistory  ;  and  them  amidst, 
With  looks  aghast  and  sad,  he  thus  bespake: 


294  PARADISE    KEGAINEL). 

"  O  ancient  i)Owers  of  air  and  this  wide  world, 
For  much  more  willingly  I  mention  air, 
This  our  old  conquest,  than  remember  Hell, 
Our  hated  habitation  ;  well  ye  know 
How  many  ages,  as  the  years  of  men, 
This  universe  we  have  possessed,  and  ruled, 
In  manner  at  our  will,  the  affairs  of  earth, 
Since  Adam  and  his  facile  consort  Eve 
Lost  Paradise,  deceived  by  me,  though  since 
With  dread  attending  when  that  fatal  Avound 
Shall  be  inflicted  by  the  seed  of  Eve 
Upon  my  head  :  long  the  decrees  of  Heaven 
Delay,  for  longest  time  to  him  is  short ; 
And  now,  too  soon  for  us,  the  circling  hours 
This  dreaded  time  have  comjjassed,  wherein  we 
Must  bide  the  stroke  of  that  long-threatened  wound, 
At  least,  if  so  we,  can,  and  by  the  head 
Broken  be  not  intended  all  our  power 
To  be  infringed,  our  freedom  and  our  being. 
In  this  fair  empire  won  of  earth  and  air : 
For  this  ill  news  I  bring,  the  woman's  seed 
Destined  to  this,  is  late  of  woman  born; 
His  birth  to  our  just  fear  gave  no  small  cause. 
But  his  growth  now  to  youth's  full  flower,  displaying 
All  virtue,  grace,  and  wisdom  to  achieve  ^ 

Things  highest,  greatest,  multiplies  my  fear. 
Before  him  a  great  projihet,  to  proclaim 
His  coming,  is  sent  harbinger,  who  all 
Invites,  and  in  the  consecrated  stream 
Pi-etends  to  wash  off  sin,  and  fit  them  so 
Purified  to  receive  him  pure,  or,  rather. 
To  do  him  honour  as  their  king;  all  come. 
And  he  himself  among  them  was  bajitized, 
Not  thence  to  be  more  pure,  but  to  receive 
The  testimony  of  Heaven,  that  who  he  is 
Thenceforth  the  nations  may  not  doubt ;  I  saw 
The  prophet  do  him  reverence  ;  on  him  rising 
Out  of  the  water.  Heaven  above  the  clouds 
Unfold  her  crystal  doors  ;  thence  on  his  head 
A  pei'fect  dove  descend,  whate'er  it  meant ; 


PARADISE    KJJGAINED.  21^-^ 


And  out  of  UeaA'cn  tlic  sovran  voice  I  lieard, 

'This  is  my  Son  beloved,  in  liini  :ini  ])leased.' 

His  motlier  then  is  mortal,  but  his  Sire 

lie  wlio  obtains  the  monarcliy  of  Heaven, 

And  wliat  will  he  not  do  to  advance  his  Son? 

His  iirst-begot  we  know,  and  sore  liave  felt, 

When  his  fierce  thunder  drove  us  to  the  deep  ; 

Wlio  this  is  we  must  learn,  for  man  he  seems 

In  all  his  lineaments,  tliough  in  his  face 

The  glimpses  of  his  Father's  glory  shine. 

Ye  see  our  danger  on  the  utmost  edge 

Of  hazard,  whicli  admits  no  long  debate, 

But  must  with  something  sudden  be  opposed 

(Not  force,  but  well-couched  fraud,  well  woven  snares) 

Ere  in  the  head  of  nations  he  a]>pear, 

Their  king,  their  leader,  and  supreme  on  earth. 

I,  when  no  other  durst,  sole  undertook 

The  dismal  expedition  to  find  out 

And  ruin  Adam,  and  the  ex])loit  performed 

Successfully  ;  a  calmer  voyage  now 

Will  waft  me ;  and  the  Avay  found  ])rosperous  once, 

Induces  best  to  hope  of  like  success." 

He  ended;  and  his  words  impression  left 
Of  much  amazement  to  the  infernal  crew, 
Distracted  and  surprised  with  deep  dismay 
At  these  sad  tidings ;  but  no  time  was  then 
For  long  indulgence  to  their  fears  or  grief: 
Unanimous  they  all  commit  the  care 
And  management  of  this  main  enterprise 
To  him  their  great  dictator,  whose  attempt 
At  first  against  mankind  so  well  had  thrived 
In  Adam's  overthrow,  and  led  their  march 
From  Hell's  deep-vaulted  den  to  dwell  in  light, 
Regents,  and  potentates,  and  kings,  yea  gods, 
Of  many  a  i)leasant  realm  and  jirovince  wide. 
So  to  the  coast  of  Jordan  he  directs 
His  easy  steps,  girded  with  snaky  wiles, 
Where  he  might  likeliest  find  this  new-declared, 
This  man  of  men,  attested  Son  of  God, 
Temptation  and  all  guile  on  him  to  try ; 


296  PARADISE    REGAI.NED, 

So  to  subvert  whom  he  suspected  raised 

To  end  liis  reign  on  earth,  so  long  enjoyed  ; 

But,  contrary,  unweeting  he  fullilled 

The  pur]ioscd  counsel  pre-ordained  and  fixed 

Of  the  Most  Higli,  who,  in  full  frequence  bright 

Of  angels,  thus  to  Gabriel  smiling  spake  : 

"  Gabriel,  this  day  by  proof  thou  shalt  behold, 
Tliou  and  all  angels  conA'ersant  on  earth 
With  man  or  men's  affairs,  how  I  begin 
To  verify  that  solemn  message,  late 
On  which  I  sent  thee  to  the  virgin  pure 
In  Galilee,  that  she  should  bear  a  Son 
Great  in  renown,  and  called  the  Son  of  God; 
Then  told'st  her,  doubting  how  these  things  could  be 
To  her  a  virgin,  that  on  her  should  come 
The  Holy  Ghost,  and  the  power  of  the  Highest 
O'ershadow  her :  this  man  born  and  now  ujJ-grown, 
To  show  him  worthy  of  his  birth  divine 
And  high  prediction,  henceforth  I  expose 
To  Satan  ;  let  him  tempt  and  now  assay 
His  iitmost  subtlety,  because  he  boasts 
And  vaunts  of  his  great  cunning  to  the  thi'ong 
Of  his  apostacy  :  he  might  have  learned 
Less  overweening,  since  he  failed  in  Job, 
Whose  constant  perseverance  overcame 
Whate'er  his  cruel  malice  could  invent. 
He  now  shall  know  I  can  produce  a  juan 
Of  female  seed,  far  abler  to  resist 
All  his  solicitations,  and  at  length 
All  his  vast  force,  and  drive  him  back  to  Hell, 
Winning  by  conquest  what  the  first  man  lost 
By  fallacy  surprised.     But  first  I  mean 
To  exercise  him  in  the  wilderness ; 
There  he  shall  first  lay  down  the  rudiments 
Of  his  great  warfare,  ere  I  send  him  forth 
To  conquer  Sin  and  Death,  the  two  grand  foes. 
By  humiliation  and  strong  sufferance  : 
His  weakness  shall  o'ercome  Satanic  strength. 
And  all  the  world,  and  mass  of  sinful  flesh  ; 
That  all  the  angels  and  ethereal  powers, 


PARADISE    REGAINED.  297 

They  now,  and  men  hereafter,  may  discern, 
From  what  consummate  virtue  I  have  chose 
Tliis  perfect  man,  by  merit  called  my  Son, 
To  earn  salvation  for  the  sons  of  men." 

So  spake  the  eternal  Father,  and  all  Heaven 
Admiring  stood  a  space ;  then  into  hymns 
Burst  foi-th,  and  in  celestial  measures  moved, 
Circlins:  the  throne  and  sin<i;in2:,  while  the  hand 
Sung  with  the  voice  ;  and  this  the  argument : 

"  Victory  and  triumph  to  the  Son  of  God 
Now  entering  his  great  duel,  not  of  arms. 
But  to  vanquish  by  wisdom  hellish  wiles. 
The  father  knows  the  Son  ;  therefore  secure 
Ventures  his  filial  virtue,  though  untried. 
Against  whate'er  may  tem]it,  whate'er  seduce, 
Allure,  or  terrify,  or  undermine. 
Be  frustrate,  all  ye  stratagems  of  Hell, 
And  devilish  machinations  come  to  nought." 

So  they  in  Heaven  their  odes  and  vigils  tuned : 
Meanwhile  the  Son  of  God,  who  yet  some  days 
Lodged  in  Betliabara  where  John  baptized. 
Musing,  and  much  revolving  in  his  breast, 
Plow  best  the  mighty  work  he  might  begin 
Of  Saviour  to  mankind,  and  which  way  first 
Publish  his  Godlike  office  now  mature, 
One  day  forth  walked  alone,  the  Spirit  leading, 
And  his  dee])  thoughts,  the  better  to  converse 
With  solitude,  till  far  from  track  of  men, 
Thought  following  thought,  and  step  by  step  led  on, 
He  entered  now  the  bordering  desert  wild, 
And,  with  dark  shades  and  rocks  environed  round, 
His  holy  meditations  thus  pursued  : 

"  Oh,  what  a  multitude  of  thoughts  at  once 
AAvakened  in  me  swarm,  while  I  consider 
What  from  within  I  feel  myself,  and  hear 
What  from  without  comes  often  to  my  ears, 
111  sorting  with  my  present  state  compared! 
When  I  was  yet  a  child,  no  childish  play 
To  me  was  pleasing  :  all  my  mind  was  set 
Serious  to  learn  and  know,  and  thence  to  do 


298  PARADISE    REGAlNEDi 

What  might  be  public  good  ;  myself  I  thought 

Born  to  that  end,  born  to  promote  all  truth, 

All  righteous  things  :  therefore,  above  ray  years, 

The  law  of  God  I  read,  and  found  it  sweet ; 

Made  it  my  whole  delight ;  and  in  it  grew 

To  such  perfection,  that  ere  yet  my  age 

Had  measured  twice  six  years,  at  our  great  feast 

I  went  into  the  temple,  there  to  hear 

The  teachers  of  our  law,  and  to  propose 

What  might  improve  my  knowledge  or  their  own, 

And  was  admired  by  all.     Yet  tliis  not  all 

To  which  my  spirit  aspired:  victorious  deeds 

Flamed  in  my  heart,  heroic  acts ;  one  while 

To  rescue  Israel  from  the  Eomau  yoke. 

Then  to  subdue  and  quell  o'er  all  the  earth 

Brute  violence  and  proud  tyrannic  power, 

Till  truth  were  freed,  and  equity  restored  ; 

Yet  held  it  more  humane,  more  heavenly,  first 

By  winning  Avords  to  conquer  Avilling  hearts, 

And  make  persuasion  do  the  work  of  fear ; 

At  least  to  try,  and  teach  the  erring  soul, 

Not  wilfully  misdoing,  but  unaware 

Misled  ;  the  stubborn  only  to  subdue. 

These  growing  thoughts  my  mother  soon  perceiving. 

By  words  at  times  cast  forth,  inly  rejoiced, 

And  said  to  me  apart,  '  High  are  thy  thoughts, 

O  Son,  but  nourish  them,  and  let  them  soar 

To  what  height  sacred  virtue  and  true  worth 

Can  raise  tlicm,  though  above  example  high  ; 

By  matchless  deeds  express  thy  matchless  sire. 

For  know,  thou  art  no  son  of  mortal  man  ; 

Though  men  esteem  thee  low  of  parentage, 

Thy  father  is  the  eternal  king,  who  rules 

All  heaven  and  earth,  angels  and  sons  of  men: 

A  messenger  from  God  foretold  thy  birth 

Conceived  in  me  a  virgin  ;  he  foretold 

Thou  shouldst  be  great,  and  sit  on  David's  throne, 

And  of  thy  kingdorp  there  should  be  no  end. 

At  thy  nativity,  a  glorious  quire 

Of  angels,  in  the  fields  of  Bet])lehem,  sung 


PARADISE    REGAINED.  299 

To  shepherds,  watching  at  their  folds  by  night, 

And  told  thera  the  Messiah  now  was  born, 

Where  they  might  see  him,  and  to  tliee  they  came, 

Directed  to  the  manger  wliere  thou  lay'st, 

For  in  the  inn  was  left  no  better  room  : 

A  star,  not  seen  before,  in  heaven  appearing. 

Guided  the  Avise  men  thither  from  the  east. 

To  honour  thee  with  incense,  myrrh,  and  gold  ; 

By  whose  bright  course  led  on  they  found  the  place, 

Affirming  it  thy  star,  new-graven  in  heaven, 

By  which  they  knew  the  King  of  Israel  born. 

Just  Simeon  and  prophetic  Anna,  warn'd 

By  vision,  found  thee  in  the  temple,  and  spake, 

Before  the  altar  and  the  vested  priest. 

Like  things  of  thee  to  all  that  present  stood.' 

"  This  having  heard,  straight  I  again  revolved 
The  law  and  prophets,  searching  what  was  writ 
Concerning  the  Messiah,  to  our  scribes 
Known  partly,  and  soon  found  of  whom  they  spake 
I  am ;  this  chietly,  that  my  way  must  lie 
Through  many  a  hard  assay,  even  to  the  death, 
Ere  I  the  promised  kingdom  can  attain. 
Or  work  redemption  for  mankind,  whose  sins 
Full  weight  must  be  transferr'd  upon  my  head, 
Yet,  neither  thus  dishearten'd,  nor  dismay'd, 
The  time  prefix'd  I  waited  ;  when,  behold 
The  Baptist,  (of  whose  birth  I  oft  had  heard. 
Not  knew  by  sight,)  now  come,  who  was  to  come 
Before  Messiah,  and  his  way  prepare  ! 
I,  as  all  others,  to  his  baptism  came. 
Which  I  believed  was  from  above  ;  but  he 
Straight  knew  me,  and  with  loudest  voice  proclaim'd 
Me  him,  (for  it  was  shewn  him  so  from  heaven,) 
Me  him,  whose  harbinger  he  Avas;  and  first 
Refused  on  me  his  baptism  to  confer, 
As  much  his  greater,  and  was  hardly  won  : 
But,  as  I  rose  out  of  the  laving  stream. 
Heaven  open'd  her  eternal  doors,  from  whence 
The  Spirit  descended  on  me  like  a  dove  ; 
And  last,  the  sum  of  all,  my  Father's  voice, 


300  PARADISE    REGAINED. 

Audibly  heard  from  heaven,  pronounced  me  his, 

Me  his  beloved  Son,  in  whom  alone 

He  was  well  pleased  ;  by  which  I  knew  the  time 

Now  full,  that  I  no  more  should  live  obscure ; 

But  openly  begin,  as  best  becomes 

The  authority  which  I  derived  from  heaven. 

And  noAV  by  some  strong  motion  I  am  led 

Into  this  wilderness,  to  what  intent 

I  learn  not  yet ;  perhaps  I  need  not  know, 

For  what  concerns  my  knowledge  God  reveals." 

So  spake  our  Morning  Star,  tlien  in  his  rise, 
And,  looking  round,  on  every  side  beheld 
A  pathless  desert,  dusk  with  horrid  shades ; 
The  way  he  came  not  having  mark'd  return 
Was  difficult,  by  human  steps  untrod ; 
And  he  still  on  was  led,  but  with  such  thoughts 
Accompanied  of  things  past  and  to  come 
Lodged  in  his  breast,  as  well  mio-ht  recommend 
Such  solitude  before  choicest  society. 
Full  forty  days  he  pass'd,  whether  on  hill 
Sometimes,  anon  in  shady  vale,  each  night 
Under  the  covert  of  some  ancient  oak. 
Or  cedar,  to  defend  him  from  the  dew, 
Or  harbour'd  in  one  cave,  is  not  reveal'd  ; 
Nor  tasted  human  food  nor  hunger  felt, 
Till  those  days  ended  ;  hunger'd  then,  at  last, 
Among  Avild 'beasts:  they  at  his  sight  grew  mild, 
Nor  sleeping  him,  nor  waking,  harm'd  his  walk. 
The  fiery  serpent  fled,  and  noxious  worm, 
The  lioii  and  fierce  tiger  glared  aloof. 
But  now  an  aged  man  in  rural  weeds. 
Following,  as  seemed,  the  quest  of  some  stray  ewe, 
Or  withered  sticks  to  gather,  which  might  serve 
Against  a  winter's  day  when  winds  blow  keen. 
To  warm  him  wet  returned  from  field  at  e^■c, 
He  saw  approach,  who  first  with  curious  eye 
Perused  him,  then  with  words  thus  uttered  spake : 

"  Sir,  what  ill  chance  hath  brought  thee  to  this  place, 
So  far  from  path  or  road  of  men,  who  pass 
In  troop  or  caravan  ?  for  single  none 


PARADISE    RKGAIXED.  301 

Durst  ever,  who  returned,  and  dropped  not  here 

His  carcass,  pined  with  hunger  and  with  droulh. 

I  ask  the  rather,  and  the  more  admire, 

For  that  to  me  thou  seem'st  tlie  man,  whom  late 

Our  new  baptizing  prophet  at  the  ford 

Of  Jordan  honoured  so,  and  called  thee  Son 

Of  God  ;  I  saw  and  lieard,  for  we  sometimes 

Who  dwell  this  M'ild,  constrained  by  want,  come  forth 

To  town  or  village  nigh  (nighcst  is  far) 

Whei-e  aught  we'heai^  and  curious  are  to  hear, 

What  happens  new  ;  fame  also  finds  us  out," 

To  whom  the  Son  of  God :  "  Who  brought  me  hither, 
Will  bring  me  hence;  no  other  guide  I  seek." 

"By  miracle  he  may,"  replied  the  swain, 
"  What  other  way  I  see  not,  for  we  here 
Live  on  tough  i-oots  and  stubs,  to  thirst  inured 
More  than  the  camel,  and  to  drink  go  far, 
Men  to  much  misery  and  hardship  born  : 
But  if  thou  be  the  Son  of  God,  command 
That  out  of  tl  ese  Jiard  stones  be  made  thee  bread ; 
So  shalt  thou  save  thyself  and  us  relieve 
With  food,  Avhereof  we  wretched  seldom  taste." 

He  ended,  and  the  Son  of  God  replied : 
"  Think'st  thou  such  force  in  bread  ?    Is  it  not  written 
(For  I  discern  thee  other  than  thou  seem'st) 
Man  lives  not  by  bread  only,  but  each  word 
Proceeding  from  the  mouth  of  God,  who  fed 
Our  fathers  here  with  manna?     In  the  mount 
Moses  was  forty  days,  nor  ate  nor  drank  ; 
And  forty  days  Elijah  Avithout  food 
Wandered  this  barren  waste;  the  same  I  now: 
Why  dost  thou  then  suggest  to  me  distrust. 
Knowing  who  I  am,  as  Tknow  Avho  thou  ait?" 

^Whomthus  answered  tlie  arch-fieiid  now  undisguised: 
"'Tis  true,  I  am  that  spirit  unfortunate, 
Who,  leagued  with  millions  more  in  rash  revolt, 
Kept  not  my  happy  station,  but  was  driven 
With  them  from  bliss  to  the  bottomless  deep  ; 
1  ct  to  that  hideous  }>l:ice  not  so  confined 
By  rigour  unconniving,  but  that  oft 


302  PARADISE    REGAINED. 

Leaving  ray  dolorous  ]H-ison  I  enjoy 

Large  libei'ty  to  round  this  globe  of  earth, 

Or  range  in  the  air,  nor  from  the  Heaven  of  Heavens 

Hath  he  excluded  my  resort  sometimes. 

I  came  among  the  sons  of  God,  when  he 

Gave  up  into  my  hands  Uzzean  Job 

To  prove  him,  and  illustrate  his  high  worth  ; 

And  when  to  all  his  angels  he  proposed 

To  draw  the  proud  king  Ahab  into  fraud 

That  he  might  fall  in  Ramoth,  they  demurring, 

I  undertook  that  office,  and  the  tongues 

Of  all  his  flattering  prophets  glibbed  with  lies 

To  his  destruction,  as  I  had  in  charge  ; 

For  what  he  bids  I  do.     Though  I  have  lost 

INIuch  lustre  of  my  native  briglitness,  lost 

To  be  beloved  of  God,  I  liave  not  lost 

To  love,  at  least  contem]:)late  and  admire 

What  I  see  excellent  in  good,  or  fair. 

Or  virtuous,  I  should  so  have  lost  all  sense. 

What  can  be  then  less  in  me  than  desire 

To  see  thee  and  approach  thee,  whom  I  know 

Declared  the  Son  of  God,  to  hear  attent 

Thy  wisdom,  and  behold  thy  Godlike  deeds? 

Men  generally  think  me  such  a  foe 

To  all  mankind  :  Avhy  should  I  ?  they  to  me 

Never  did  wrong  or  violence  ;  by  them 

I  lost  not  what  I  lost,  i-ather  by  them 

I  gained  what  I  have  gained,  and  with  them  dwell 

Copartner  in  these  regions  of  the  world. 

If  not  disposer  ;  lend  them  oft  my  aid, 

Oft  my  advice  by  presages  and  signs, 

And  answers,  oracles,  portents,  and  dreams, 

Whereby  they  may  direct  their  future  life. 

Envy  they  say  excites  me  thus  to  gain 

Companions  of  my  misery  and  woe. 

At  first  it  may  be  ;  but  long  since  with  woe 

Nearer  acquainted,  now  I  feel  by  proof, 

That  fellowship  in  ])ain  divides  not  smart, 

Nor  lightens  aught  each  man's  peculiar  load. 

Small  consolation  then,  were  men  adjoined  : 


PARADISE    RKGAINED.  303 

This  wounds  me  most  (what  can  it  less  ?)  that  man, 
Man  fallen  shall  be  restored ;  I  never  more." 
To  whom  our  Saviour  sternly  thus  replied : 
"Deservedly  thou  griev'st,  composed  of  lies 
From  the  beginning,  and  in  lies  wilt  end  ; 
Who  boast'st  release  from  Hell,  and  leave  to  come 
Into  the  Heaven  of  Heavens.     Thou  com'st  indeed, 
As  a  poor  miserable  captive  thrall 
Comes  to  the  place  where  he  before  had  sat 
Among  the  prime  in  splendour,  now  deposed, 
Ejected,  emptied,  gazed,  unpited,  shunned, 
A  spectacle  of  ruin  or  of  scorn 
To  all  the  host  of  Pleaven  :  the  happy  place 
Imparts  to  thee  no  happiness,  no  joy. 
Rather  inflames  thy  torment,  representing 
Lost  bliss  to  thee  no  more  communicable, 
So  never  more  in  Hell  than  when  in  Heaven. 
But  thou  art  serviceable  to  Heaven's  King. 
Wilt  thou  impute  to  obedience  what  thy  fear 
Extorts,  or  ])leasure  to  do  ill  excites  ? 
What  but  thy  malice  moved  thee  to  misdeem 
Of  righteous  Job,  then  cruelly  to  afflict  him 
With  all  inflictions  ?  but  his  patience  won. 
The  other  service  was  thy  chosen  task. 
To  be  a  liar  in  four  hundred  mouths : 
For  lying  is  thy  sustenance,  thy  food. 
Yet  thou  pretend'st  to  truth ;  all  oracle^ 
By  thee  are  given,  and  what  confessed  more  true 
Among  the  nations?  that  hath  been  thy  craft, 
By  mixing  somewhat  true  to  vent  more  lies. 
But  what  have  been  thy  answers,  what  but  dark, 
Ambiguous,  and  with  double  sense  deluding, 
Wliich  they  who  asked  have  seldom  understood, 
And  not  well  understood  as  good  not  known  ? 
Whoever,  by  consulting  at  thy  shrine. 
Returned  the  wiser,  or  the  more  instruct 
To  fly  or  follow  what  concerned  him  most, 
And  run  not  sooner  to  his  fatal  snare? 
For  God  hath  justly  given  the  nations  up 
To  thy  delusions  ;  justly,  since  they  fell 


304  PARADISE    REGAINED. 

Idolatrous :  but  when  liis  purpose  is 

Among  them  to  declare  his  providence 

To  thee  not  known,  whence  hast  thou  then  thy  truth 

But  from  him  or  his  angels  president 

In  every  province  ?  who,  themselves  disdaining 

To  approach  thy  temples,  give  thee  in  command 

"What  to  the  smallest  tittle  thou  shalt  say 

To  thy  adorers  ;  thou  with  trembling  fear, 

Or  like  a  fawning  parasite,  obey'st; 

Then  to  thyself  ascrib'st  the  truth  foretold. 

But  this  thy  glory  shall  be  soon  retrenched ; 

No  more  shalt  thou  by  oracling  abuse 

The  Gentiles  :  henceforth  oracles  are  ceased, 

And  thou  no  more  with  pomp  and  sacrifice 

Shalt  be  inquired  at  Delphos  or  elsewhere, 

At  least  in  vain,  for  they  shall  find  thee  mute. 

God  hath  now  sent  his  living  oracle 

Into  the  world  to  teach  his  final  will. 

And  sends  his  Spirit  of  truth  henceforth  to  dwell 

In  pious  hearts,  an  inward  oracle 

To  all  truth  requisite  for  men  to  know." 

So  spake  our  Saviour  ;  but  the  subtle  fiend, 
Though  inly  stung  with  anger  and  disdain. 
Dissembled,  and  this  answer  smooth  returned : 

"  Sharply  thou  hast  insisted  on  rebuke, 
And  urged  me  hard  with  doings,  which  not  will 
But  misery  hath  wrested  from  me  :  where 
Easily  canst  thou  find  one  miserable, 
And  not  enforced  oft-times  to  part  fromt  ruth; 
If  it  may  stand  him  more  in  stead  to  lie, 
Say  and  unsay,  feign,  flatter,  or  abjure  ? 
But  thou  art  placed  above  me,  thou  art  Lord  ; 
From  thee  I  can  and  must  submiss  endure 
Check  or  reproof,  and  glad  to  'scape  so  quit. 
Hard  are  the  ways  of  truth,  and  rough  to  walk, 
Smooth  on  the  tongue  discoursed,  pleasing  to  the  ear, 
And  tuneable  as  sylvan  pipe  or  song ; 
What  wonder  then  if  I  delight  to  hear 
Her  dictates  from  thy  mouth?     Most  men  admire 
Virtue,  who  follow  not  her  lore  :  permit  me 


PARADI8K    RKOAINKD.  305 

To  hear  thee  when  I  come  (since  no  man  comes), 
And  talk  at  least,  though  1  despair  to  attain. 
Thy  Father,  who  is  holy,  Avise,  and  pure, 
Suffers  the  hyj)Ocrite  or  atheons  priest 
To  tread  his  sacred  courts,  and  minister 
About  his  altar,  handling  holy  things, 
I*raying  or  vowing,  and  vouchsafed  his  voice 
To  Balaam  reprobate,  a  prophet  yet 
Inspired  ;  disdain  not  such  access  to  me." 

To  whom  our  Saviour  with  unaltered  brow : 
"  Thy  coming  hither,  though  I  know  thy  scope, 
I  bid  not  or  forbid ;  do  as  thou  tind'st 
Permission  from  above  ;  thou  canst  not  more." 

He  added  not ;  and  Satan,  bowing  low 
His  gray  dissimulation,  disappeared 
Into  thin  air  diffused ;  for  now  began 
Night  with  her  sullen  wings  to  double-shade 
The  desert ;  fowls  in  their  clay  nests  were  couched ; 
And  now  wild  beasts  came  forth  the  woods  to  roam. 

20 


800  PARADISE    REGAINED. 


BOOK  II. 

ARGUMENT. 

The  disciples  of  Jesus,  uneasy  at  his  long  absence,  reason  amongst  them- 
selves concerning  it.  Mary  also  gives  vent  to  her  maternal  anxiety ;  iu 
the  expression  of  which  she  recapitulates  many  circumstances  respecting 
the  birth  and  early  life  of  her  Son.  Satan  again  meets  his  infernal  coun- 
cil, reports  the  bad  success  of  his  first  temptation  of  our  blessed  Lord, 
and  calls  upon  them  for  counsel  and  assistance.  Belial  proposes  the 
tempting  of  Jesus  with  women.  Satan  rebuljes  Belial  for  his  dissolute- 
ness, charging  on  him  all  the  profligacy  of  tliatlciud  ascribed  by  tlie  poets 
to  the  heathen  gods,  and  rejects  his  proposal  as  in  no  respect  lil<ely  to 
succeed.  Satan  then  suggests  other  modes  of  temptation,  particularly 
proposing  to  avail  himself  of  the  circumstance  of  our  Lord's  hungering: 
and,  taliing  a  band  of  chosen  spirits  witli  liim,  returns  to  resume  liis  en- 
terprise. Jesus  hungers  in  the  desert.  Night  comes  on;  tlie  manner  in 
which  our  Saviour  passes  the  night  is  described.  Morning  advances. 
Satan  again  appears  to  Jesus,  and,  after  expressing  wonder  that  he 
should  be  so  entirely  neglected  in  the  wilderness,  where  otliers  had  been 
miraculously  fed,  tempts  him  with  a  sumptuous  banquet  of  tlie  most 
luxurious  Itind.  This  he  rejects,  and  the  banquet  vanishes.  Satan, 
finding  our  Lord  not  to  be  assailed  on  the  ground  of  appetite,  tempts  Him 
again  by  offering  him  riches,  as  the  means  of  acquiring  power:  this 
Jesus  also  rejects,  producing  many  instances  of  great  actions  performed 
by  persons  under  virtuous  poverty,  and  specifying  tlie  danger  of  riches, 
and  the  cares  and  pains  inseparaljle  from  power  and  greatness. 

Meanwhile  the  new-baptized,  wlio  yet  remained 

At  Jordan  with  the  Baptist,  and  had  seen 

Him  whom  they  heard  so  Late  expressly  called 

Jesus  Messiah,  Son  of  God  declared, 

And  on  that  high  authority  had  believed, 

And  with  him  talked,  and  with  him  lodged,  I  mean 

Andrew  and  Simon,  famous  after  known. 

With  others,  though  in  holy  writ  not  named, 

Now  missing  him  their  joy  so  lately  found, 

So  lately  found,  and  so  abruptly  gone. 

Began  to  doubt,  and  doubted  many  days, 

And  as  the  days  increased,  increased  their  doubt : 

fSumelimes  they  thought  he  might  be  only  shown, 


PARADISK    REGAINED.  30T 

And  for  a  time  caught  up  to  God,  as  once 

Moses  was  in  tlie  mount,  and  missing  long ; 

And  the  great  Thisbite,  who  on  fiery  wheels 

Rode  up  to  Heaven,  yet  once  again  to  come. 

Therefore  as  those  young  prophets  then  with  care 

Sought  lost  Elijah,  so  in  each  place  these 

Nigh  to  Bethabara ;  in  Jericlio 

The  city  of  palms,  iEnon,  and  Salem  old, 

Machajrus,  and  each  town  or  city  walled 

On  this  side  the  broad  lake  Genezaret, 

Or  in  Perrea  ;  but  returned  in  vain. 

Then  on  the  bank  of  Jordan,  by  a  creek, 

Where  winds  with  reeds  and  osiers  whispering  play. 

Plain  fishermen,  no  greater  men  them  call, 

Close  in  a  cottage  low  tDgether  got. 

Their  unexpected  loss  and  plaints  out-breathed  : 

"  Alas,  from  what  high  hope  to  what  relapse 
Unlooked  for  are  we  fallen  !  our  eyes  beheld 
Messiah  certainly  now  come,  so  long 
Expected  of  our  fathers  ;  Ave  have  heard 
His  words,  his  wisdom  full  of  grace  and  truth ; 
Now,  now,  for  sure,  deliverance  is  at  hand, 
The  kingdom  shall  to  Israel  be  restored  : 
Thus  we  rejoiced,  but  soon  our  joy  is  turned 
Into  perplexity  and  new  amaze  : 
For  whither  is  he  gone?  what  accident 
Hath  rapt  him  from  us  ?  will  he  now  retire 
After  appearance,  and  again  jjrolong 
Our  expectation  ?     God  of  Israel, 
Send  thy  Messiah  forth,  the  time  is  come  ; 
Behold  the  kings  of  the  earth  how  they  oppress 
Thy  chosen,  to  what  height  their  power  unjust 
They  have  exalted,  and  behind  them  cast 
All  fear  of  thee ;  arise  and  vindicate 
Thy  glory,  free  thy  people  from  their  yoke. 
But  let  us  wait ;  thus  far  he  hath  performed, 
Sent  his  Anointed,  and  to  us  revealed  him. 
By  his  great  prophet,  pointed  at  and  shown 
In  public,  and  with  him  we  have  conversed ; 
Let  us  be  glad  of  this,  and  all  our  fears 


308  PARADISE    RKGAINKD. 

Ti.ay  on  his  providence ;  he  will  not  fail, 
Nor  will  withdraw  him  now,  nor  will  recall, 
Mock  us  with  his  blest  sight,  then  snatch  him  hence ; 
Soon  we  shall  see  our  hope,  our  joy  return." 

Thus  they  out  of  their  plaints  new  hope  resume 
To  find  whom  at  the  first  they  found  unsought : 
But  to  his  mother,  Mary,  when  she  saw 
Others  returned  from  baptism,  not  her  son. 
Nor  left  at  Jordan,  tidings  of  him  none, 
Within  her  breast  though  calm,  her  breast  though  pure, 
Motherly  cares  and  fears  got  head,  and  raised 
Some  troubled  thoughts,  which  she  in  sighs  thus  clad : 

'<  Oh  what  avails  me  now  that  honour  high 
To  have  conceived  of  God,  or  that  salute, 
'  Hail,  highly  favoured,  among  women  blest ! ' 
While  I  to  sorrows  am  no  less  advanced, 
And  fears  as  eminent,  above  the  lot 
Of  other  women,  by  the  birth  I  l)ore. 
In  such  a  season  born  when  scarce  a  shed 
Could  be  obtained  to  shelter  him  or  me 
From  the  bleak  air  ;  a  stable  was  our  warmth, 
A  manger  his  ;  yet  soon  enforced  to  liy 
Thence  into  Egypt,  till  the  murderous  king 
Were  dead,  who  sought  his  life,  and  missing  filled 
With  infant  blood  the  streets  of  Bethlehem  j 
From  Egypt  home  returned,  in  Nazareth 
Hath  been  our  dwelling  many  years  ;  his  life 
Private,  unactive,  caliu,  contemplative, 
Little  suspicious  to  any  kuig  ;  but  now 
Full  grown  to  man,  acknowledged,  as  I  hear, 
By  John  the  Baptist,  and  in  public  shown. 
Son  owned  from  Heaven  by  his  Father's  voice; 
I  looked  for  some  great  change;  to  honour?  no, 
But  trouble,  as  old  Simeon  plain  foretold. 
That  to  the  fall  and  rising  he  should  be 
Of  many  in  Israel,  and  to  a  sign 
Spoken  against,  that  through  my  very  soul 
A  sword  shall  pierce  :  this  is  my  favoured  lot, 
My  exaltation  to  afflctions  high. 
Afflicted  I  may  be,  it  seems,  and  blest ; 


tAUAUlHK    KEGAINKD.  309 

I  will  not  argue  that,  nor  will  repine. 

But  where  delays  he  now  ?  some  great  intent 

Conceals  him  :  when  twelve  years  he  scarce  had  seen, 

I  lost  him,  but  so  found,  as  well  I  saw 

He  could  not  lose  himself;  but  went  about 

His  Father's  business  ;  what  he  meant  I  mused, 

Since  understand;  much  more  his  absence  now 

Thus  long  to  some  great  purpose  he  obscures. 

BuL  I  to  Avait  with  patience  am  inured  : 

My  heart  hath  been  a  storehouse  long  of  things 

And  sayings  laid  up,  portending  strange  events.'* 

Thus  Mary  pondering  oft,  and  oft  to  mind 
Recalling  what  remarkably  had  passed 
Since  first  her  salutation  heard,  with  thoughts 
Meekly  composed  awaited  the  fulfilling : 
The  Avhile  her  son  tracing  the  desert  wild, 
Sole  but  with  holiest  meditations  fed, 
Into  himself  descended,  and  at  once 
All  his  great  work  to  come  before  him  set  •, 
How  to  begin,  how  to  accomplish  best 
His  end  of  being  on  earth,  and  mission  high  : 
For  Satan^  with  sly  preface  to  return. 
Had  left  him  vacant,  and  with  speed  was  gone 
Up  to  the  middle  region  of  thick  air. 
Where  all  his  potentates  in  council  sat ; 
There  without  sign  of  boast,  or  sign  of  joy, 
Solicitous  and  blank  he  tlius  began  : 

"  Princes,  Heaven's  ancient  sons,  ethereal  thrones, 
Demonian  spirits  now,  from  the  element 
Eacli  of  his  reign  allotted,  rightlier  called 
Powers  of  fire,  air,  water,  and  earth  beneath, 
So  may  we  hold  our  place,  and  these  mild  seats 
Without  new  trouble  ;  such  an  enemy 
Is  risen  to  invade  us,  who  no  less 
Threatens  than  our  exi)ulsion  down  to  Hell ; 
I,  as  I  undertook,  and  with  the  vote 
Couse-nting  in  full  frequence  was  empowered, 
Have  found  him,  viewed  him,  tasted  him,  but  find 
Far  other  labour  to  be  undergone 
Thau  when  I  dealt  with  Adam  first  of  men, 


310  PARADISE    REGAINED. 

Though  Adam  by  his  wife's  allurement  fell, 

However  to  this  man  inferior  far, 

If  he  be  man  by  mother's  side  at  least, 

With  more  than  human  gifts  from  Heaven  adorned, 

Perfections  absolute,  graces  divine. 

And  ami)litude  of  mind  to  greatest  deeds. 

Therefore  I  am  returned,  lest  confidence 

Of  my  success  with  Eve  in  Paradise 

Deceive  ye  to  persuasion  over-sure 

Of  like  succeeding  here  :  I  summon  all 

Rather  to  be  in  readiness,  with  hand 

Or  counsel  to  assist ;  lest  I  who  erst 

Thought  none  my  equal,  now  be  over-matched." 

So  spake  the  old  serpent  doubting,  and  from  all 
With  clamour  was  assured  their  utmost  aid 
At  his  command  ;  when  from  amidst  them  rose 
Belial,  the  dissolutest  spirit  that  fell, 
The  sensualest,  and,  after  Asmodai, 
The  fleshliest  incubus,  and  thus  advised : 

"  Set  women  in  his  eye,  and  in  his  walk, 
Among  daughters  of  men  the  fairest  found; 
Many  are  in  each  region  jxassing  fair 
As  the  noon  sky ;  more  like  to  goddesses 
Than  mortal  creatures,  graceful  and  discreet, 
Expert  in  amorous  arts,  enchanting  tongues 
Persuasive,  virgin  majesty  with  mild 
And  sweet  allayed,  yet  terrible  to  approach, 
Skilled  to  retire,  and  in  retiring  draw 
Hearts  after  them  tangled  in  amorous  nets. 
Such  object  hath  the  power  to  soften  and  tame 
Severest  temper,  smooth  the  rugged'st  brow, 
Enerve,  and  with  voluptuous  hope  dissolve, 
Draw  out  with  credulous  desire,  and  lead 
At  will  the  manliest,  resolutest  breast, 
As  the  magnetic  hardest  iron  draws. 
Women,  when  nothing  else,  beguiled  the  heart 
Of  wisest  Solomon,  and  made  him  build. 
And  made  him  bow  to  the  gods  of  his  wives." 

To  whom  quick  answer  Satan  thus  returned  : 
*'  Belial,  iu  much  uneven  scale  thou  weigh'st 


PARADISE    KEGAIKBD.  311 

All  others  by  thyself ;  because  of  old 

Thou  thyself  doat'dst  on  womankind,  admiring 

Their  shape,  their  colour,  and  attractive  grace; 

None  are,  thou  think'st,  but  taken  with  such  toys. 

Before  the  flood,  thou,  with  thy  lusty  crew, 

False  titled  sons  of  God,  roaming  the  earth, 

Cast  wanton  eyes  on  the  daugliters  of  men, 

And  cou])led  wi-th  them,  and  begot  a  race. 

Have  we  not  seen,  or  by  relati(m  heard, 

In  courts  and  regal  chambers  how  thou  lurk'st, 

In  wood  or  grove  by  mossy  fountain  side, 

In  valley  or  green  meadow,  to  waylay 

Some  beauty  rare,  Calisto,  Clyraene, 

Daphne,  or  Semele,  Antiopa, 

Or  Amymone,  Syrinx,  many  more 

Too  long,  then  lay'st  thy  'scapes  on  names  adored; 

Apollo,  Neptune,  Jupiter,  or  Pan, 

Satyr,  or  Faun,  or  Sylvan  ?     But  these  haunts 

Deliglit  not  all  ;  among  the  sons  of  men, 

How  many  have  with  a  smile  made  small  account 

Of  beauty  and  her  lures,  easily  scorned 

All  her  assaults,  on  worthier  things  intent ! 

Remember  that  Pelican  conqueror, 

A  youth,  how  all  the  beauties  of  tlie  east 

He  slightly  viewed,  and  slightly  overpassed  ; 

How  he  surnamed  of  Africa  dismissed 

In  his  prime  youth  the  fair  Iberian  maid. 

For  Solomon,  he  lived  at  ease,  and  full 

Of  honour,  wealth,  high  fare,  aimed  not  beyond 

Higher  design  than  to  enjoy  his  state  ; 

Thence  to  the  bait  of  women  lay  exposed: 

But  he  whom  weatteifipt  is  wiser  far 

Than  Solomon,  of  more  exalted  mind. 

Made  and  set  wholly  on  the  accomplishment 

Of  greatest  things :  what  woman  will  you  And, 

Though  of  this  age  the  wonder  and  the  fame, 

On  whom  his  leisure  will  vouchsafe  an  eye 

Of  fond  desire?  or  should  she  confident. 

As  sitting  queen  adored  on  beauty's  throne, 

Descend  with  all  her  winning  charms  begirt 


312  PARADISE    RKGArNED. 

To  enamour,  as  the  zone  of  Venus  once 

Wrought  that  effect  on  Jove,  so  fables  tell ; 

How  would  one  look  from  his  majestic  brow 

Seated  as  on  the  top  of  virtue's  hill, 

Discountenance  her  despised,  and  put  to  rout 

All  her  array ;  her  female  pride  deject. 

Or  turn  to  reverent  awe  !  for  beauty  stands 

In  the  admiration  only  of  weak  minds 

Led  captive ;  cease  to  admire,  and  all  her  plumes 

Fall  flat  and  shrink  into  a  trivial  toy, 

At  every  sudden  slighting  quite  abashed  ; 

Therefore,  with  manlier  objects  we  must  try 

His  constancy,  with  such  as  have  more  show 

Of  worth,  of  honour,  glory,  and  ])opular  praise  ; 

Rocks  whereon  greatest  men  have  oftest  wrecked ; 

Or  that  which  only  seems  to  satisfy 

Lawful  desires  of  nature,  not  beyond ; 

And  now  I  know  he  hungers  where  no  food 

Is  to  be  found,  in  the  Avide  wilderness  ; 

The  rest  commit  to  me  ;  I  shall  let  pass 

No  advantage,  and  Jiis  strength  as  oft  assay." 

He  ceased  ;  and  heard  their  grant  in  loud  acclaim ; 
Then  forthwith  to  him  takes  a  chosen  band 
Of  spirits  likest  to  himself  in  guile 
To  be  at  hand,  and  at  his  beck  appear. 
If  cause  were  to  unfold  some  active  scene 
Of  various  persons,  each  to  know  his  part ; 
Then  to  the  desert  takes  with  these  his  flight ; 
Where  still  from  shade  to  shade  the  Son  of  God, 
After  forty  days'  fasting  had  remained. 
Now  hungering  first,  and  to  himself  thus  said  : 

"Where  will  this  end?     Foui^.  times  ten   days  I've 
passed 
Wandering  this  woody  maze^  and  human  food 
Nor  tasted,  nor  had  appetite  ;  that  fast 
To  virtue  I  impute  not,  or  count  part 
Of  what  I  suffer  here  :  if  nature  need  not, 
Or  God  support  nature  without  repast, 
Though  needing,  what  praise  is  it  to  endure  ? 
But  now  I  feel  I  hunger,  which  declares 


PAKADISE    REGAINED.  313 

Nature  hath  need  of  what  she  asks  ;  yet  God 
Can  satisfy  that  need  some  other  way, 
Tl)Ough  hunger  still  remain  :  so  it  remain 
Without  this  body's  wasting,  I  content  me, 
And  from  the  sting  of  famine  fear  no  harm : 
Nor  mind  it,  fed  witli  better  thoughts  that  feed 
Me  hungering  more  to  do  my  Father's  will." 

It  was  the  hour  of  night,  when  thus  the  Son 
C'ommuned  in  silent  Avalk,  then  laid  him  down 
Under  the  hos])itable  covert  nigh 
Of  trees  thick  interwoven  ;  there  he  slept, 
And  dreamed  as  a])petite  is  w^ont  to  dream, 
Of  meats  and  drinks,  nature's  refreshment  sweet; 
Him  thought,  he  by  the  brook  of  Cherith  stood, 
And  saw  the  ravens  with  their  horny  beaks 
I'ood  to  Elijah  bringing  even  and  morn. 
Though  ravenous,  taught    to    abstain  from  what    they 

brought : 
He  saw  the  prophet  also  how  he  fled 
Into  the  desert,  and  how  there  he  slept 
Under  a  juniper  ;  then  how,  awaked, 
He  found  his  supper  on  the  coals  prepared, 
And  by  the  angel  was  bid  rise  and  eat. 
And  eat  the  second  time  after  repose, 
The  strength  whereof  sufficed  him  forty  days ; 
Sometimes  that  with  Elijah  he  partook, 
Or  as  a  guest  with  Daniel  at  his  pulse. 
Thus  wore  out  night ;  and  now  the  herald  lark 
Left  his  ground-nest,  liigh  towering  to  descry 
The  morn's  approach,  and  greet  her  with  his  song: 
.As  lightly  from  his  grassy  couch  up  rose 
Our  Saviour,  and  found  all  was  but  a  dream  ; 
J  asting  he  went  to  sleep,  and  fasting  waked. 
Up  to  a  hill  anon  his  steps  he  reared, 
From  whose  high  top  to  ken  the  ]irospect  round, 
If  cottage  were  in  view,  sheep-cote,  or  herd  ; 
But  cottage,  herd,  or  sheep-cote  none  he  saw, 
Only  in  a  bottom  saw  a  pleasant  grove. 
With  chaunt  of  tuneful  birds  resounding  loud  ; 
Thither  he  bent  his  way,  determined  there 


314  PARADISE    REGAINED. 

To  rest  at  noon,  and  entered  soon  the  shade 

High  roofed,  and  walks  beneath,  and  alleys  brown, 

That  opened  in  the  midst  a  woody  scene ; 

Nature's  own  work  it  seemed  (nature  taught  art), 

And  to  a  superstitious  eye  the  haunt 

Of  wood-gods  and  wood-nymphs  ;  he  viewed  it  round, 

When  suddenly  a  man  before  him  stood. 

Not  rustic  as  before,  but  seemlier  clad. 

As  one  in  city,  or  court,  or  palace  bred, 

And  Avith  fair  speech  these  words  to  him  addressed : 

"  With  granted  leave  officious  I  return, 
But  much  more  wonder  that  the  Son  of  God 
In  this  wild  solitude  so  long  should  bide 
Of  all  things  destitute,  and  well  I  know, 
Not  without  hunger.     Others  of  some  note, 
As  story  tells,  have  trod  this  wilderness : 
The  fugitive  bond-woman  with  her  son, 
Outcast  Nebaioth,  yet  found  here  relief 
By  a  providing  angel ;  all  the  race 
Of  Israel  here  had  famished,  had  not  God 
Kained  from  Heaven  manna:  and  that  prophet  bold, 
Native  of  Thebez,  wandering  here  was  fed 
Twice  by  a  voice  inviting  him  to  eat: 
Of  thee  these  forty  days  none  hath  regard, 
Forty  and  more  deserted  here  indeed." 

To  whom  thus  Jesus  :  "  What  conclud'st  thou  hence  ? 
They  all  had  need  ;  I,  as  thou  seest,  have  none." 

"  How  hast  thou  hunger  then?  "  Satan  replied. 
"Tell  me,  if  food  were  now  before  thee  set, 
Wouldst  thou  not  eat  ?  "     "  Thereafter  as  I  like 
The  giver,"  answered  Jesus,     "  Why  should  that 
Cause  thy  refusal?"  said  the  subtle  fiend. 
"  Hast  thou  not  riijht  to  all  created  thingcs  ? 
Owe  not  all  creatures  by  just  right  to  thee 
Duty  and  service,  not  to  stay  till  bid, 
But  tender  all  their  power  ?    Nor  mention  I 
Neats  by  the  law  unclean,  or  offered  first 
To  idols,  those  young  Daniel  could  refuse  ; 
Nor  proffered  by  an  enemy,  though  who 
Would  scruple  that,  with  want  oppressed?     Behold, 


PARADISE    REGAINED. 

Nature  ashamed,  or  better  to  express, 

Troubled  that  tliou  shouldst  liunger,  hath  purveyed 

From  all  the  elements  her  choicest  store 

To  treat  thee  as  beseems,  and  as  her  Lord 

With  honour ;  only  deign  to  sit  and  eat." 

He  spake  no  dream,  for  as  his  words  had  end, 
Our  Saviour  lifting  up  his  eyes,  beheld 
In  ample  5pace,  under  the  broadest  shade, 
A  table  richly  spread,  in  regal  mode, 
With  dishes  piled,  and  meats  of  noblest  sort 
And  savour,  beasts  of  chase,  or  fowl  of  game, 
In  pastry  built,  or  from  the  spit,  or  boiled, 
Gris-amber-steamed  ;  all  fish  from  sea  or  sliore. 
Freshet,  or  purling  brook,  of  shell  or  fin, 
And  exquisitest  name,  for  which  was  drained 
Pontus,  and  Lucrine  Bay,  and  Afric  coast. 
Alas !  how  simple,  to  these  cates  compared, 
Was  that  crude  apple  that  diverted  Eve, 
And  at  a  stately  sideboard  by  the  wine 
That  fragrant  smell  diffused,  in  order  stood 
Tall  stripling  youths  rich  clad,  of  fairer  hue 
Than  Ganymed  or  Hylas  ;  distant  more 
Under  the  trees  now  tripped,  now  solemn  stood, 
Nymphs  of  Diana's  train,  and  Naiades 
Witli  fruits  and  flowers  from  Amalthea's  horn, 
And  ladies  of  the  Hesperides,  that  seemed 
Fairer  than  feigned  of  old,  or  fabled  since 
Of  fairy  damsels  met  in  forest  wide 
By  knights  of  Logres,  or  of  Lyones, 
Lancelot,  or  Pelleas,  or  Pellenore  : 
And  all  the  while  harmonious  airs  were  heard 
Of  chiming  strings,  or  charming  pipes,  and  winds 
Of  gentlest  gale  Arabian  odours  fanned 
From  their  soft  wings,  and  Florals  earliest  smells. 
Such  was  the  splendour;  and  the  tempter  now 
His  invitation  earnestly  renewed  : 

"  What  doubts  the  Son  of  God  to  sit  and  eat  ? 
These  are  not  fruits  forbidden  ;  no  interdict 
Defends  the  touching  of  these  viands  pure  ; 
Their  taste  no  knowledge  works,  at  least  of  evil, 


315 


816  PARADISE    REGAINED. 

But  life  preserves,  destroys  life's  enemy, 

Hunger,  with  sweet  restorative  delight. 

All  these  are  spirits  of  air,  and  woods,  and  springs, 

Thy  gentle  ministers,  who  come  to  pay 

Thee  homage,  and  acknowledge  thee  their  Lord  : 

What  doubt'st  thou,  Son  of  God  ?     Sit  down  and  eat." 

To  whom  thus  Jesus  temperately  replied  : 
"Said'st  thou  not  that  to  all  things  I  had  riglit? 
And  who  witliholds  my  power  that  right  to  use  ? 
Shall  I  receive  by  gift  what  of  my  own, 
"When  and  where  likes  me  best,  I  can  command? 
1  can  at  will,  doubt  not,  as  soon  as  thou, 
Command  a  table  iu  this  wilderness. 
And  call  swift  flights  of  angels  ministrant 
Arrayed  in  glory  on  my  cup  to  attend  : 
Wliy  shouldst  thou  then  obtrude  this  diligence 
In  vain,  where  no  acceptance  it  can  find  ? 
And  with  my  hunger  what  hast  thou  to  do  ? 
Thy  pompous  delicacies  I  contemn, 
And  count  thy  specious  gifts  no  gifts,  but  guiles." 

To  whom  thus  answered  Satan  malcontent 
"  That  I  have  also  power  to  give  thou  seest ; 
If  of  that  power  I  bring  thee  voluntary 
What  I  might  have  bestowed  on  whom  I  pleased, 
And  rather  opportunely  in  this  place 
Chose  to  impart  to  thy  apparent  need ; 
Why  shouldst  thou  not  accept  it  ?     But  I  see 
What  I  can  do  or  offer  is  suspect ; 
Of  these  things  others  quickly  will  dispose. 
Whose  pains  have  earned  the  far  fet  spoil."     With  that 
Both  table  and  provision  vanished  quite 
Witii  sound  of  harpies'  wings,  and  talons  heard  ;   . 
Only  the  importune  tempter  still  remained, 
And  witli  these  words  his  temptation  pursued  : 

"  By  hunger,  that  each  other  creatiwe  tames. 
Thou  art  not  to  be  harmed,  therefore  not  moved  j 
Tit}'  temperance  invincible  besides, 
For  no  allurement  yields  to  appetite. 
And  all  thy  heart  is  set  on  high  designs, 
High  actions ;  but  wherewith  to  be  achieved  ? 


PARADISE    HECiAINEn.  317 

Groat  acts  require  great  means  of  enterprise ; 

Tliou  art  unknown,  unfriended,  low  of  birth, 

A  carpenter  thy  father  known,  thyself 

Bred  up  in  poverty  and  straits  at  home, 

Lost  in  a  desert  here,  and  hunger-bit : 

Wliicli  way  or  from  what  hope  dost  thou  aspire 

To  greatness?  whence  authority  deriv'st? 

Wliat  follovv^ers,  what  retinue  canst  thou  gain. 

Or  at  thy  heels  the  dizzy  multitude. 

Longer  than  thou  canst  feed  them  on  thy  cost? 

Money  brings  honour,  friends,  conquest,  and  reahns  : 

What  raised  Antipater  the  Edomite, 

And  his  son  Ilerod  placed  on  Judah's  throne 

(Thy  throne),  but  gold  that  got  him  puissant  friends? 

Therefore,  if  at  great  things  thou  wouldst  arrive, 

Get  riches  first,  get  wealth,  and  treasure  heap, 

Not  difficult,  if  thou  hearken  to  me: 

Riches  are  mine  ;  fortune  is  in  my  hand  ; 

They  whom  I  favour  tlirive  in  wealth  amain, 

While  virtue,  valour,  wisdom,  sit  in  want." 

To  whom  thus  Jesus  patiently  replied  : 
"  Yet  wealth  without  these  three  is  impotent 
To  gain  dominion,  or  to  keep  it  gained. 
Witness  those  ancient  empires  of  the  earth. 
In  height  of  all  their  flowing  wealth  dissolved : 
But  men  endued  with  these'have  oft  attained 
In  lowest  poverty  to  highest  deeds : 
Gideon  and  Jejjh'tha,  and  the  shepherd  lad, 
Whose  offspring  on  the  throne  of  Judah  sat 
So  many  ages,  and  shall  yet  regain 
That  seat,  and  reign  in  Israel  without  end. 
Among  the  heathen  (for  throughout  the  world 
To  me  is  not  unknown  what  hath  been  done 
Worthy  of  memorial),  canst  thou  not  remember 
Quintius,  Fabricius,  Curius,  Regulus  ? 
For  I  esteem  those  names  of  men  so  poor 
Who  could  do  mighty  things,  and  could  contemn 
Riches  though  offered  from  the  hand  of  kings. 
And  what  in  me  seems  wanting,  but  that  I 
May  also  in  this  poverty  as  soon 


318  PARADISE   REGAINED. 

Accomplish  what  they  did,  perhaps,  and  more  ? 

Extol  not  riches,  then,  the  toil  of  fools, 

The  wise  man's  cnrabrance  if  not  snare,  more  apt 

To  slacken  virtue,  and  abate  her  edge, 

Than  prompt  her  to  do  aught  may  merit  praise. 

What  if  with  like  aversion  I  reject 

Riches  and  realms ;  yet  not  for  that  a  crown, 

Golden  in  show,  is  but  a  wreath  of  thorns. 

Brings  dangers,  troubles,  cares,  and  sleepless  nights 

To  him  wlio  wears  the  regal  diadem, 

When  on  his  shoulders  eacli  man's  l)urden  lies; 

For  therein  stands  the  office  of  a  king. 

His  honour,  virtue,  merit,  and  chief  praise, 

That  for  the  public  all  this  weight  he  bears. 

Yet  he  who  reigns  within  himself,  and  rules 

Passions,  desires,  and  fears,  is  more  a  king ; 

Which  every  wise  and  virtuous  man  attains  : 

And  who  attains  not,  ill  aspires  to  rule 

Cities  of  men,  or  headstrong  multitudes, 

Subject  himself  to  anarchy  within. 

Or  lawless  passions  in  him  \t^hich  he  serves. 

But  to  guide  nations  in  the  way  of  truth 

By  saving  doctrine,  and  from  error  lead 

To  know,  and  knowing  worship  God  aright. 

Is  yet  more  kingly;  this  attracts  the  soul. 

Governs  the  inner  man,  the  nobler  part ; 

That  other  o'er  the  body  only  reigns. 

And  oft  by  force,  which  to  a  generous  mind 

So  reigning  can  be  no  sincere  delight. 

Besides,  to  give  a  kingdom  hath  been  thought 

Greater  and  nobler  done,  and  to  lay  down 

Far  more  magnanimous  than  to  assume. 

Riches  are  needless,  then,  both  for  themselves, 

And  for  thy  reason  why  they  should  be  sought. 

To  gain  a  sceptre,  of  test  better  missed." 


PAKAinSE    KEGAJXED.  319 


BOOK  III. 


ARGUMENT. 


Satan  endeavours  to  awaken  in  Jesus  a  passion  for  glory,  by  particu- 
larising various  great  actions  performed  by  persons  at  an  early  period  of 
life.  Our  Lord  replies,  by  shewing  the  vanity  of  worldly  fame,  and  con- 
trasts with  it  the  true  glory  of  religions  patience  and  virtuous  wisdom. 
Satan  justifies  the  love  of  glory  from  the  example  of  God  himself,  who 
requires  it  from  all  his  creatures.  Jesus  detects  the  fallacy  of  this  ar- 
gument, by  shewing  that,  as  goodness  is  the  true  ground  on  which  glory 
IS  due  to  the  great  Creator,  sinful  man  can  have  no  right  to  it.  Satan 
then  urges  our  Lo]d  respecting  his  claim  to  the  throne  of  David  ;  lie  tells 
him,  that  the  kingdom  of  Judea.  being  at  that  time  a  province  of  Rome, 
cannot  be  got  possession  of  without  much  personal  exertion  on  his  ]«irt, 
and  presses  him  to  lose  no  time  in  beginning  to  reign.  Jesus  refers  him  to 
the  time  allotted  for  tliis,  as  for  all  other  things  ;  and,  alter  intimating 
somewhat  resi)ecting  his  own  previous  sufferings,  asks  Satan  why  he 
should  be  solicitous  for  the  exaltation  of  one  whose  rising  was  destined  to 
be  his  fall.  Satan  replies,  that  Ids  own  desperate  state,  by  excluding  all 
hope,  leaves  little  room  for  fear  ;  and  that,  as  his  own  punishment  was 
equally  doomed,  he  is  not  interested  in  ])reventing  the  reign  of  one,  from 
whose  apparent  benevolence  he  might  rather  hope  for  some  interference 
in  his  favour.  Satan,  still  supposing  that  the  seeming  reluctance  of  .Jesus 
to  be  thus  advanced,  might  arise  from  his  being  unacquainted  with  the 
world  and  its  glories,  conveys  him  to  the  summit  of  a  high  mountain, 
and  from  thence  shews  him  most  of  the  kingdoms  of  Asia^  pointing  out 
to  his  notice  some  extraordinary  military  preparations  of  the  Paithiaus 
to  resist  the  incursions  of  the  Scythians.  He  then  informs  our  Lord, 
thai  he  shewed  him  this  purposely,  that  he  might  see  how  necessary  mili- 
tary exertions  are  to  retain  the  possession  of  kingdoms,  as  well  as  to  sub- 
due  them  at  first  ;  and  advises  iiim  to  consider  how  impo.ssible  it  was  to 
maintain  Judea  against  two  such  powerful  neighbours  as  the  Romans 
and  I'arthians,  ancl  how  necessary  it  would  be  to  form  an  alliance  with 
one  or  other  of  them.  At  the  same  time,  he  recommends,  and  engages  to 
secure  to  him  that  of  the  Parthians  ;  and  tells  him,  that  by  this  means 
his  power  will  be  defended  from  anything  that  Rome  or  Ca*sar  might 
attempt  against  it  ;  and  that  he  will  be  able  to  extend  his  glory  wide, 
and  especially  to  accomplish  what  was  particularly  necessary  to  make 
the  throne  of  Judea  really  the  throne  of  David,  the  deliverance  and  res- 
toration of  the  ten  tribes,  still  in  a  state  of  captivity.  Jesus,  having 
brielly  noticed  the  vanity  of  military  efforts,  and  ttie  weakness  of  the  arm 
of  flesh,  says  that,  when  the  time  comes  for  ascending  his  allotted  throne, 
he  shall  not  be  slack  :  he  remarks  on  Satan's  extraordinary  zeal  for  the 
deliverance  of  the  Israelites,  to  whom  he  had  always  shewn  himself  an 
enemy,  and  declares  their  servitude  to  be  the  consequence  of  tlieir  idol- 
atry ;  but  adds,  that,  at  a  future  time,  it  may  perhaps  please  God  to  re- 
caJl  them,  and  restore  them  to  their  liberty  and  native  land. 


820  PARADISE    RPirSAINED. 

So  spake  the  Son  of  God,  and  Satan  stood 

A  while  as  mxite,  confounded  what  to  say, 

What  to  reply,  confuted  and  convinced 

Of  his  weak  arguing,  all  fallacious  drift ; 

At  length,  collecting  all  his  serpent  wiles, 

With  soothing  words  renewed,  him  thus  accosts : 

"  I  see  thou  know'st  what  is  of  use  to  know, 
What  best  to  say  canst  say,  to  do  canst  do  ; 
Thy  actions  to  thy  words  accord,  thy  words 
To  thy  large  heart  give  utterance  due,  thy  heart 
Contains  of  good,  wise,  just,  the  perfect  shape. 
Should  kings  and  nations  from  thy  mouth  consult, 
Thy  council  would  be  as  the  oracle 
Urini  and  Thummira,  those  oraculous  gems 
On  Aaron's  breast ;  or  tongue  of  seers  old 
Infallible  :  or  wert  thou  sought  to  deeds 
That  might  require  the  array  of  war,  thy  skill 
Of  conduct  would  lie  such,  that  all  the  world 
Could  not  sustain  tliy  prowess,  or  subsist 
In  battle,  though  against  thy  few  in  arms. 
These  godlike  virtues  wherefore  dost  thou  hide, 
Affecting  private  life,  or  Tuore  obscure 
In  savage  wilderness  ?     Wherefore  deprive 
All  earth  her  wonder  at  thy  acts,  thyself 
The  fame  and  glory,  glory  the  reward 
That  sole  excites  to  high  attempts,  the  flame 
Of  most  erected  spirits,  most  tempered  pure 
Ethei-eal,  who  all  pleasures  else  despise, 
All  treasures  and  all  gain  esteem  as  dross, 
And  dignities  and  powers  all  but  the  highest? 
Thy  years  are  ripe,  and  over-ri])c;  the  son 
Of  Macedonian  Philip  had  ere  these 
Won  Asia,  and  the  throne  of  Cyrus  held 
At  his  dispose ;  young  Scipio  had  brought  down 
The  Carthaginian  pride  ;  young  Pompey  quelled 
The  Pontic  king,  and  in  triumph  had  rode. 
Yet  years,  and  to  ripe  years  judgment  mature, 
Quench  not  the  thirst  of  glory,  but  augment. 
Great  Julius,  Avhora  now  all  the  world  admires. 
The  more  he  grew  in  years,  the  more  inflamed 


PARADISE    REGAINED. 


321 


With  glory,  wept  that  he  had  lived  so  long 
Inglorious :  but  thou  yet  art  not  too  late." 

To  whom  our  Saviour  calmly  thus  replied  : 
"  Thou  neither  dost  persuade  me  to  seek  wealth 
For  em])ire's  sake,  nor  empire  to  affect 
For  glory's  sake,  by  all  thy  argument. 
For  what  is  glory  but  the  blaze  of  fame. 
The  ]jeople's  praise,  if  always  praise  unmixed  ? 
And  what  the  people  but  a  herd  confused, 
A  miscellaneous  rabble,  who  extol 

Things  vulgar  and,  well  weighed,  scarce  worth  the  praise  ? 
They  praise,  and  they  admire  they  know  not  what. 
And  know  nut  whom,  but  as  one  leads  the  other  ; 
And  what  delight  to  be  by  such  extolled. 
To  live  upon  their  tongues  and  be  their  talk. 
Of  whom  to  be  dispraised  were  no  small  praise. 
His  lot  who  dares  be  singularly  good  ? 
The  intelligent  among  them  and  the  wise 
Are  few,  and  glory  scarce  of  few  is  raised. 
This  is  true  glory  and  renown,  when  God, 
Looking  on  the  earth,  with  approbation  marks 
The  just  man,  and  divulges  him  through  Heaven 
To  all  his  angels,  who  with  true  applause 
Recount  his  praises  :  thus  he  did  to  Job, 
When,  to  extend  his  fame  through  Heaven  and  earth. 
As  thou  to  thy  reproach  mayst  well  remember. 
He  asked  thee, '  Hast  thou  seen  my  servant  Job  ? ' 
Famous  he  was  in  Heaven,  on  earth  less  known  ; 
Where  glory  is  false  glory,  attributed 
To  things  not  glorious,  men  not  wortliy  of  fame.    . 
They  err  who  count  it  glorious  to  subdue 
By  conquest  far  and  wide,  to  over-run 
Large  countries,  and  in  fields  great  battles  win, 
Great  cities  by  assaiUt :  what  do  these  wortliies. 
But  rob  and  spoil,  burn,  slaughter,  and  enslave 
Peacable  nations,  neighbouring,  or  remote, 
Made  captive,  yet  deserving  freedom  more 
Than  those  their  conquerors,  Avho  leave  behind 
Nothing  but  ruin  wheresoe'er  they  rove. 
And  all  the  flourishing  works  of  peace  destroy, 


322 


PAKABISK    REGAINED. 


Then  swell  with  pride,  and  must  be  titled  gods, 

Great  benefactors  of  mankind,  deliverers, 

Worshipped  with  temple,  priest,  and  sacrifice; 

One  is  the  son  of  Jove,  of  Mai-s  the  other ; 

Till  conqueror  Death  discover  them  scarce  men, 

Rolling  in  brutish  vices,  and  deformed. 

Violent  or  shameful  death  their  due  reward. 

But  if  there  be  in  glory  aught  of  good, 

It  may  by  means  far  different  be  attained 

Without  ambition,  war,  or  violence  ; 

By  deeds  of  j^eace,  by  wisdom  eminent, 

By  patience,  temperance  :  I  mention  still 

Him  whom  thy  wrongs  with  saintly  patience  borne 

Made  famous  in  a  land  and  times  obscure  ; 

Who  names  not  now  with  honour  patient  Job  ? 

Poor  Socrates  (who  next  more  memorable  ?) 

By  what  he  taught  and  suffered  for  so  doing, 

For  truth's  sake  suffering  death  unjust,  lives  now 

Equal  in  fame  to  proudest  conquerors. 

Yet  if  for  fame  and  glory  aught  be  done. 

Aught  suffered  ;  if  young  African  for  fame 

His  wasted  country  freed  from  Punic  rage. 

The  deed  becomes  unpraised,  the  man  at  least, 

And  loses,  though  but  verbal,  his  reward. 

Shall  I  seek  glory,  then,  as  vain  men  seek, 

Oft  not  deserved  ?     I  seek  not  mine,  but  his 

Who  sent  me,  and  thereby  witness  whence  I  am." 

To  whom  the  tempter  murmuring  ^hus  replied  : 
*'  Think  not  so  slight  of  glory  ;  therein  least 
Resembling  thy  great  Father  :  he  seeks  glory, 
And  for  his  glory  all  things  made,  all  things 
Orders  and  go^■erns  ;  nor  content  in  Heaven 
By  all  his  angels  glorified,  requires 
Glory  from  men,  from  all  men,  good  or  bad, 
Wise  or  unwise,  no  difierence,  no  exemption; 
Above  all  sacrifice  or  hallowed  gift 
Glory  he  requires,  and  glory  he  receives 
Promiscuous  from  all  nations,  Jew,  or  Greek, 
Or  barbarous,  nor  exception  hath  declared  ; 
From  us,  his  foes  pronounced,  glory  lie  exacts." 


PARADISK    REOAINBD. 

To  whom  our  Saviour  fervently  replied  : 
"  And  reason  ;  since  his  word  all  things  produced. 
Though  chiefly  not  for  glory  as  i)rimc  end, 
But  to  show  forth  his  goodness,  and  impar 
His  good  communicable  to  eveiy  soul 
Freely  ;  of  wlioni  what  could  he  less  expec 
Than  glory  and  benediction,  that  is,  thanks, 
The  slightest,  easiest,  readiest  recompense 
From  them  who  could  return  him  nothing  else. 
And,  not  returning  that,  would  likeliest  render 
Contempt  instead,  dishonour,  obloquy  ? 
Hard  recompense,  unsuitable  return 
For  so  much  good,  so  much  beneficence. 
But  why  should  man  seek  glory,  who  of  his  own 
Hath  nothing,  and  to  whom  nothing  belongs 
But  condemnation,  ignominy,  and  shame  ? 
Who  for  so  many  benefits  received 
Turned  recreant  to  God,  ingrate  and  false. 
And  so  of  all  true  good  himself  despoiled  ; 
Yet,  sacrilegious,  to  himself  would  take 
That  which  to  God  alone  of  right  belongs ; 
Yet  so  much  bounty  is  in  God,  such  grace. 
That  who  advance  his  glory,  not  their  own, 
Them  he  himself  to  glory  will   advance." 

So  spake  the  son  of  God  :  and  here  again 
Satan  had  not  to  answer,    but  stood  struck 
With  guilt  of  his  own  sin,  for  he  himself 
Insatiable  of  glory  had  lost  all ; 
Yet  of  another  plea  bethought  him  soon  : 

"Of  glory,  as  thou  wilt,"  said  he,  "  so  deem, 
Worth  or  not  worth  the  seeking,  let  it  pass : 
But  to  a  kingdom  thou  art  born,  ordained 
To  sit  upon  thy  father  David's  throne ; 
By  mother's  side  thy  father ;   though  thy  right 
Be  now  in  powerful  hands,  that  will  not  part 
Easily  from  possession  won  with  arms  : 
Judea  now,  and  all  the  promised  land, 
Reduced  a  province  under  Roman  yoke. 
Obeys  Tiberius ;  nor  is  always  ruled 
With  tem^^erate  sway  ;  oft  have  they  violated 


823 


324  PAXiAL»ISE    KKGAINED.' 

The  temple,  oft  the  iaw  with  foul  attroiils, 

Abominations  rather,  as  did  once 

Aiitiociius  :  and  think'st  thou  to  regain 

Thy  right  by  sitting  still  or  thus  retiring? 

So  did  not  Maccabeus  :  he  indeed 

Retired  unto  the  desert,  but  Avith  arms  ; 

And  o'er  a  mighty  king  so  oft  prevailed, 

That,  by  strong  hand,  his  family  obtained, 

Though  priests,  the  crown,  and  David's  throne  usurped 

WithModin  and  her  suburbs  once  content. 

If  kingdom  move  thee  not,  let  move  thee  zeal 

And  duty  ;  zeal  and  duty  are  not  slow; 

But  on  occasion's  forelock  watchful  wait. 

They  themselves  rather  are  occasion  best, 

Zeal  of  thy  Father's  house,  duty  to  free 

Thy  country  from  her  heathen  servitude  ; 

So  shalt  thou  best  fulfil,  best  verify 

The  prophets  old,  who  sung  thy  endless  reign; 

The  happier  reign  the  sooner  it  begins  : 

Reign  then ;  what  canst  thou  better  do  the  while?" 

To  whom  our  Saviour  answer  thus  returned  : 
*'  All  things  are  best  fulfilled  in  their  due  time. 
And  time  there  is  for  all  things,  Truth  hath  said: 
If  of  my  reign  prophetic  writ  hath  told, 
That  it  shall  never  end,  so  when  begin 
The  father  in  his  purpose  hath  decreed, 
He  in  whose  hand  all  times  and  seasons  roll. 
What  if  he  hath  decreed  that  I  shall  first 
Be  tried  in  humble  state,  and  things  adverse, 
By  tribulations,  injuries,  insults, 
Contempts,  and  scorns,  and  snares,  and  violence. 
Suffering,  .abstaining,  quietly  expecting. 
Without  distrust  or  doubt,  that  he  may  know 
What  I  can  suffer,  how  obey?     Who  best 
Can  suffer,  best  can  do  ;  best  reign,  v/ho  first 
Well  hath  obeyed  ;  just  trial  ere  I  merit 
My  exaltation  without  change  or  end. 
But  what  concerns  it  thee  wlien  I  begin 
My  everlasting  kingdom?  Avhy  art  thou 
SolicitouB  ?  what  moves  thy  inquisition  ? 


PAKADISK    RKGAINKD.  825 

Know'st  thou  not  that  my  rising  is  thy  fall, 
And  my  })i-omotion  will  be  thy  destruction?" 
To  Avhom  the  tempter,  inly  racked,  replied : 
"  Let  that  come  when  it  comes  ;  all  hope  is  lost 
Of  my  reception  into  grace  ;  what  worse  ? 
For  where  no  hope  is  left  is  left  no  fear : 
If  there  be  worse,  the  expectation  more 
Of  worse  torments  me  than  the  feeling  can. 
I  would  be  at  the  worst ;  woi'st  is  my  port, 
My  harbour,  and  my  ultimate  repose, 
The  end  I  would  attain,  my  final  good. 
My  error  was  my  error,  and  my  crime 
My  crime  ;  whatever  for  itself  condemned, 
And  will  alike  be  punished,  whether  thou 
Reign  or  reign  not ;  though  to  that  gentle  brow 
Willingly  I  could  fly,  and  hope  thy  reign, 
From  that  placid  aspect  and  meek  regard, 
Uather  than  aggravate  my  evil  state. 
Would  stand  between  me  and  thy  Father's  ire 
(Whose  ire  I  dread  more  than  the  fire  of  Hell), 
A  shelter  and  a  kind  of  shading  cool 
Interposition,  as  a  summer's  cloud. 
If  I  then  to  the  worst  that  can  be  haste, 
Why  move  thy  feet  so  slow  to  what  is  best,  . 
Happiest  both  to  thyself  and  all  the  world, 
That  thou  who  worthiest  art  shouldst  be  their  king  ? 
Perhaps  thou  linger'st  in  deep  thoughts  detained 
Of  the  enterprise  so  hazardous  and  high  ; 
No  wonder,  for  though  in  thee  be  united 
What  of  perfection  can  in  man  be  found, 
Or  human  nature  can  receive,  consider 
Thy  life  hath  yet  been  private,  most  part  spent 
At  home,  scarce  viewed  the  Galilean  towns, 
And  once  a  year  Jerusalem,  few  days' 
Short  sojourn  ;  and  what  thence  couldst  thou  observe? 
The  world  thou  hast  not  seen,  much  less  her  glory. 
Empires,  and  monarchies,  and  their  radiant  courts, 
Best  school  of  best  experience,  quickest  insight 
In  all  things  that  to  greatest  actions  lead. 
The  wisest,  unexperienced,  will  be  ever 


82G  PARADISE    KEGAINED. 

Timorous  and  loth,  with  novice  modesty 

(As  he  who,  seeking  asses,  found  a  kingdom). 

Irresolute,  unhardy,  unadventurous : 

But  I  will  bring  thee  where  thou  soon  shalt  quit 

Those  rudiments,  and  see  before  thine  eyes 

The  monarchies  of  the  earth,  their  pomp  and  state^ 

Sufficient  introduction  to  inform 

Thee,  of  thyself  so  aj3t,  in  regal  arts. 

And  regal  mysteries,  that  thou  raayst  know 

How  best  their  opposition  to  withstand." 

With  that  (such  power  was  given  him  then)  he  took 
The  Sou  of  God  up  to  a  mountain  high. 
It  was  a  mountain  at  whose  verdant  ieet 
A  spacious  plain,  out-stretched  in  circuit  Avide, 
Lay  pleasant ;  from  his  side  two  rivers  flowed, 
The  one  winding,  the  other  straight,  and  left  between 
Fair  charapain,  with  less  rivers  interveined, 
Then  meeting,  joined  their  tribute  to  the  sea  : 
Fertile  of  corn  the  glebe,  of  oil,  and  wine; 
With  herds  the  pastures  thronged,  with  flocks  the  hills : 
Huge  cities  and, high-towered,  that  well  might  secu 
The  seat  of  misrhtiest  monarchs,  and  so  lars^e 
The  prospect  was,  that  here  and  there  was  room 
For  barren  desert  fountainlcss  and  dry. 
To  this  high  mountain-top  the  tempter  brought 
Our  Saviour,  and  new  train  of  words  began  : 

"Well  have  we  speeded,  and  o'er  hill  and  dale, 
Forest,  and  field,  and  flood,  temples  and  towers, 
Cut  shorter  many  a  league ;  here  thou  behold'st 
Assyria  and  her  empire's  ancient  bounds, 
Araxes  and  the  Caspian  lake,  thence  on 
As  far  as  Indus  east,  Euphrates  west, 
And  oft  beyond ;  to  south  the  Persian  bay. 
And  inaccessible  the  Arabian  drouth  : 
Here  Nineveh,  of  length  within  her  wall 
Several  days'  journey,  built  by  Ninus  old, 
Of  that  first  golden  monarchy  the  seat, 
And  seat  of  Salmanassar,  whose  success 
Israel  in  long  captivity  still  mourns  ; 
There  Babylon,  the  wonder  of  all  tongues, 


PARADISE    KKUAIXEU.  H'^l 

As  ancient,  but  rebuilt  by  Iiim  who  twice 

Judah  and  all  thy  father  David's  house 

Led  captive,  and  Jerusalem  laid  waste, 

Till  Cyrus  set  them  free  ;  Persepolis 

His  city  there  thou  seest,  and  Bactra  there; 

Ecbatana  her  structure  vast  there  shows, 

And  Hecatoni]\vlos  her  hundred  gates  : 

There  Susa  by  Choaspes,  amber  stream. 

The  drink  of  none  but  kings ;  of  later  fame 

Built  by  Emathian  or  by  Parthian  hands. 

The  great  Seleucia,  Nisibis,  and  there 

Artaxata,  Teredon,  Ctesiphon, 

Turning  with  easy  eye  thou  mayst  behold. 

All  these  the  Parthian,  now  some  ages  past, 

By  great  Arsaccs  led,  who  founded  first 

That  empire,  under  his  dominion  holds, 

From  the  luxurious  kings  of  Antioch  won. 

And  just  in  time  thou  com'st  to  have  a  view 

Of  his  great  power ;  for  now  the  Parthian  king 

In  Ctesiphon  hath  gathered  all  his  host 

Against  the  Scythian,  whose  incursions  wild 

Have  wasted  Sogdiana  ;  to  her  aid 

He  marches  noAV  in  haste :  see,  though  from  far, 

His  thousands,  in  what  martial  equipage 

They  issue  forth,  steel  bows  and  shafts  theirs  arms, 

Of  equal  dread  in  flight  or  in  pursuit ; 

All  horsemen,  ia  which  fight  they  most  excel : 

See  how  in  warlike  muster  they  appear. 

In  I'hombs  and  wedges,  and  half-moons,  and  wings.'* 

He  looked,  and  saw  what  numbers  numberless 
The  city  gates  out-poured,  light  armed  troops 
In  coats  of  mail  and  military  pride  ; 
In  mail  their  horses  clad,  yet  fleet  and  strong. 
Prancing  theirs  riders  bore,  the  flower  and  choice 
Of  many  provinces  from  bound  to  bound  ; 
From  Arachosia,  from  Candaor  east. 
And  Marcriana  to  the  Hvrcanian  cliffs 
Of  Caucasus,  and  dark  Iberian  dales. 
From  Atropatia  and  the  neighbouring  plains 
Of  Adiabene,  Media,  and  the  south 


'i~^  PARADISE    KEGAINED. 

Of  Snsiaua,  to  Bnlsara's  haven. 

He  saw  them  in  tlieir  forms  of  battle  ranged, 

How  quick  they  wheeled,  and  flying  behind  them  shot 

Sharp  sleet  of  arrowy  showers  against  the  face 

Of  their  pursuers,  and  overcame  by  flight; 

The  field  all  iron  cast  a  gleaming  brown  : 

Nor  wanted  clouds  of  foot,  nor  on  each  horn 

Cuirassiers  all  in  steel  for  standing  fight, 

Chariots  or  elephants  indorsed  with  towers 

Of  archers,  nor  of  labouring  pioneers 

A  multitude  with  spades  and  axes  armed, 

To  lay  hills  plain,  fell  woods,  or  valleys  fill, 

Or  where  plain  was  raise  hill,  or  overlay 

With  bridges  rivers  proud,  as  with  a  yoke ; 

Mules  after  these,  camels  and  dromedaries, 

And  waszgons  fraught  with  utensils  of  war. 

Such  forces  met  not,  nor  so  wide  a  camp,  • 

When  Agrican,  with  all  his  northern  powers, 

Besieged  Albracca,  as  romances  tell. 

The  city  of  Gallnphrone,  from  thence  to  win 

The  fairest  of  her  sex,  Angelica 

His  daughter,  sought  by  many  prowest  knights, 

Both  Paynim,  and  the  peers  of  Charlemain. 

Such  and  so  numerous  was  their  chivalry  : 

At  sight  whereof  the  fiend  yet  more  presumed. 

And  to  our  Saviour  thus  his  words  renewed : 

"That  thou  mayst  know  I  seek  not  to  engage 
Thy  virtue,  and  not  every  way  secure 
On  no  slight  grounds  thy  safety ;  hear,  and  mark 
To  what  end  I  have  brought  thee  hither,  and  shovm 
All  this  fair  sight  :  thy  kingdom,  though  foretold 
By  prophet  or  by  angel,  unless  thou 
Endeavor,  as  thy  father  David,  did, 
Tliou  never  shalt  obtain  :  prediction  still 
la  all  things,  and  all  men,  supposes. means  ; 
Without  means  used,  what  it  predicts  revokes. 
But  say  thou  wert  possessed  of  David's  throne. 
By  free  consent  of  all,  none  opposite, 
Samaritan  or  Jew;  how  couldst  thou  hope 
Long  to  enjoy  it  quiet  and  secure, 
Between  two  such  enclosing  enemies, 


PARADISE    REGAIXED.  329 

Roman  and  Parthian  ?    Therefore  one  of  these 

Thou  must  make  sure  thy  own  :  the  Parthian  firs<», 

By  my  advice,  as  nearer,  and  of  late 

Found  able  by  invasion  to  annoy 

Thy  country,  and  captive  lead  away  her  kings, 

Antigonus  and  old  Hyrcanus,  bound, 

JMaugre  the  Roman  :  it  shall  be  my  task 

To  render  thee  the  Parthian  at  dispose ; 

Choose  which  thou  Avilt,  by  conquest  or  by  league. 

By  him  tliou  shalt  regain,  without  him  not, 

That  which  alone  can  truly  reinstal  thee 

In  David's  royal  seat,  his  true  successor. 

Deliverance  of  thy  brethren,  those  ten  tribes 

Whose  offspring  in  his  territory  yet  serve, 

In  Habor,  and  among  the  Medes  dispersed ; 

Ten  sons  of  Jacob,  two  of  Joseph,  lost 

Thus  long  from  Israel,  serving  as  of  old 

Their  fathers  in  the  land  of  Egypt  served, 

This  offer  sets  before  thee  to  deliver. 

These  if  from  servitude  thou  shalt  restore 

To  their  inheritance,  then,  nor  till  then. 

Thou  on  the  throne  of  David  in  full  glory, 

From  Egypt  to  Euphrates,  and  beyond, 

Shalt  reign,  and  Rome  or  Ciesar  not  need  fear." 

To  whom  our  Saviour  answered  thus  unmoved: 
"  Much  ostentation  vain  of  fleshy  arm, 
And  fragile  arms,  much  instiMiment  of  war 
Long  in  preparing,  soon  to  nothing  brought, 
Before  mine  eyes  thou  hast  set ;  and  in  my  ear 
Vented  much  policy,  and  projects  deep 
Of  enemies,  of  aids,  battles,  and  leagues, 
Plausible  to  the  world,  to  me  worth  naught. 
Means  I  must  use,  thou  say'st,  ])rediction  else 
Will  unpredict  and  fail  me  of  the  throne  : 
My  time,  I  told  thee  (and  that  time  for  thee 
Were  better  farthest  off),  is  not  yet  come  ; 
When  that  comes,  think  not  thou  to  find  me  slack 
On  my  part  aught  endeavouring,  or  to  need 
Thy  politic  maxims,  or  that  cumbersome 
Luggage  of  war  there  shown  me,  argument 
Of  human  weakness  rather  than  of  strength. 


330  PARADISK    UKGAIXED. 

My  brethren,  as  thou  call'st  them,  those  ten  tribes 

I  must  deliver,  if  I  mean  to  reign 

David's  true  heir,  and  his  full  sceptre  sway 

To  just  extent  over  nil  Israel's  sons. 

But  -whence  to  thee  this  zeal  ?     Where  was  it  then 

For  Israel,  or  for  David,  or  his  throne. 

When  thou  stood'st  up  his  tempter  to  the  pride 

Of  numbering  Israel,  Avhich  cost  the  lives 

Of  threescore  and  ten  thousand  Israelites 

By  three  days'  pestilence?     Such  was  thy  zeal 

To  Israel  then,  the  same  that  now  to  me. 

As  for  those  captive  tribes,  themselves  were  they 

Who  wrought  their  own  captivity  ;  fell  off 

From  God  to  worshij)  calves,  the  deities 

Of  Egypt ;  Baal  next,  and  Ashtaroth, 

And  all  the  idolatries  of  heathen  round. 

Besides  their  other  worse  than  heathenish  crimes  J 

Nor  in  the  land  of  their  captivity 

Humbled  themselves,  or  penitent  besought 

The  God  of  their  forefathers ;  but  so  died 

Impenitent,  and  left  a  race  behind 

Like  to  themselves,  distinguishable  scarce 

From  Gentiles,  but  by  circumcision  vain, 

And  God  with  idols  in  their  worship  joined. 

Should  I  of  these  the  liberty  regard, 

Who,  freed,  as  to  their  ancient  patrimony, 

Unhumbled,  unrepentant,  unreformed, 

Headlong  would  follow ;  and  to  their  gods,  perhaps, 

Of  Bethel  and  of  Dan  ?     No,  let  them  serve 

Their  enemies,  who  serve  idols  with  God. 

Yet  he  at  length,  time  to  himself  best  known, 

Remembering  Abraham,  by  some  wondrous  call 

May  bring  them  back  repentant  and  sincere. 

And  at  their  passing  cleave  the  Assyrian  Hood, 

W^hile  to  their  native  land  with  joy  they  haste, 

As  to  the  Red  Sea  and  Jordan  once  he  cleft. 

When  to  the  promised  land  their  fathers  passed: 

To  his  due  time  and  providence  I  leave  them." 

So  spake  Israel's  true  king,  and  to  the  fiend 
Made  answer  meet,  that  made  vf)id  nil  his  wiles. 
So  tares  it  when  with  tnitli  falsehood  contends. 


PABADISK    REUAI.NKD.  331 


BOOK  IV. 


THE   ARGDMENT. 

Satak,  persisting  in  the  temptation  of  our  Lord,  shews  him  imperial 
Rome  in  its  greatest  splendour,  and  tells  liiui  that  he  might,  with  the 
greatest  ease,  expel  Tiberius,  restore  the  Romans  to  their  liberty,  and 
make  himself  master  not  onlj-  of  the  Roman  empire,  but,  by  so  doing, 
of  the  whole  world,  and  inclusively  of  the  throne  of  David.  Our  Lord, 
in  rejily,  expresses  his  contempt  of  grandeur  and  worldly  jiower,  and 
notices  tlie  luxury,  vanity,  and  profligacy  of  the  Romans,  declaring  how 
little  they  merited  to  be  restored  to  that  liberty  which  they  liad  lost  by 
their  misconduct.  Satan,  now  desperate,  to  enhance  the  \aUie  of  hia 
profTered  gifts,  professes  that  the  only  terins  on  which  lie  will  bestow 
them,  are  our  Saviour's  falling  down  and  worshipjjing  him.  Our  Lord 
expresses  a  firm  but  temperate  indignation  at  such  aproiwsition,  and  re- 
bukes the  tempter.  Satan  then  assumes  a  new  ground  of  ten)])tation, 
and,  proposing  to  Jesus  the  intellectual  gratifications  of  wisdom  and 
knowledge,  points  out  to  him  the  celebrated  seat  of  ancient  learning, 
Athens,  its  schools,  and  other  various  resorts  of  learned  teachers  and 
their  discii)les.  Jesus  replies,  by  shewing  tlie  vanity  and  insufficiency  of 
the  boasted  heathen  philosophy.  Satan,  irritated  at  the  failure  of'  all 
his  attem]jts,  upbraids  the  indiscretion  of  our  Saviour  in  rejecting  his 
offers:  and,  having  forett)ldthe  sufferings  that  o\ir  Lord  was  to  undergo, 
carries  him  back  into  the  wilderness,  and  leaves  him  tliere.  Night 
comes  on:  Satan  raises  a  tremendous  storm,  and  attempts  fartlier  to 
alarm  Jesus  with  frightful  dreams,  and  terrific  threatening  spectres.  A 
calm,  bright,  beautiful  morning  succeeds  to  tlie  horrors  of  the  night. 
Satan  again  presents  himself  to  our  blessed  Lord;  and  takes  occasion, 
once  more,  to  insult  him  with  an  account  of  the  sufferings  which  he 
was  certainly  to  undergo.  This  only  draws  from  our  Lord  a  brief  rebuke. 
Satan,  now  at  the  height  of  his  desperation,  confesses  that  he  had  fre- 
quently watched  Jesus  from  his  birtli,  jiurposely  to  discover  if  he  was 
the  Messiah,  and  as>)duously  followed  him,  iu  hopes  of  gaining  some 
advanbige  over  him,  whicli  would  most  effectually  prove  that  he  whs  not 
really  that  Divine  I'eison  destined  to  be  liis  ''  fatal  enemy."  In  this  he 
acknowledges  tlmt  he  has  hitherto  failed;  but  still  determines  to  make 
one  more  trial.  Accordingly  he  conveys  him  to  the  temple  at  Jerusalem; 
and,  placing  him  on  a  pointed  eminence,  requires  him  to  jirove  his  di- 
vinity either  by  standing  there,  or  casting  himself  down  with  safety.  Our 
Lord  reproves  the  tempter,  and  manifests  his  own  divinity  by  standing 
on  this  dangerous  point.  Satan,  amazed  and  terrified,  instantly  falls, 
and  repairs  to  his  infeinal  compeers  to  relate  the  bad  success  of  his  en- 
terprise. Angels  convey  our  blessed  Lord  to  a  beautiful  valley,  and, 
wliile  tliey  minister  to  him  a  repast  of  celestial  food,  celebrate  his  victory 
iu  a  triiimph'int  hymn. 


382  PARADISE    REGAT-XKO, 

Perplexed  and  troubled  at  his  bad  success, 

The  tempter  stood,  nor  had  A^^hat  to  reply ; 

Discovered  in  his  fraud,  thrown  from  his  hope 

So  oft,  and  the  persuasive  rhetoric 

That  sleeked  his  tongue,  and  won  so  much  on  Eve, 

So  little  here,  nay  lost ;  but  Eve  was  Eve, 

This  far  "his  over-match,  Avho,  self-deceived 

And  rash,  beforehand  had  no  better  weighed 

The  strength  he  was  to  cope  with,  or  his  own ; 

But  as  a  man  who  had  been  matchless  held 

In  cunning,  over-i*eached  where  least  he  thought, 

To  sah-e  his  credit,  and  for  very  spite, 

Still  will  be  tempting  him  v>iio  foils  him  still. 

And  never  cease,  though  to  his  shame  the  more  ; 

Or  as  a  swarm  of  flies  in  vintage  time, 

About  the  wine-press  where  sweet  must  is  poured, 

Beat  off,  returns  as  oft  with  humming  sound  ; 

Or  surging  waves  against  a  solid  rock. 

Though  all  to  shivers  dashed,  the  assault  renew, 

Vain  battery,  and  in  froth  or  bubbles  end  ; 

So  Satan,  whom  repulse  upon  repulse 

Met  ever,  and  to  shameful  silence  brought, 

Yet  gives  not  o'er,  though  desperate  of  success. 

And  his  vain  importunity  pursues. 

He  brought  our  Saviour  to  the  western  side 

Of  that  high  mountain,  Avhence  he  miglit  behold 

Another  plain,  long,  but  in  breadth  not  wide. 

Washed  by  the  southern  sea,  and  on  the  north 

To  equal  length  backed  Avith  a  ridge  of  hills. 

That  screened  the  fruits  of  the  earth  and  seats  of  men 

From  cold  septentrion  blasts  ;  thence  in  the  midst 

Divided  by  a  river,  of  whose  banks 

On  each  side  an  imperial  city  stood, 

With  towers  and  temples  proudly  elevate 

On  seven  small  hills,  with  palaces  adorned^ 

Porches  and  theatres,  baths,  aqueducts, 

Statues  and  trophies,  and  triumphal  arcs, 

Gardens  and  groves,  jjresented  to  his  eyes, 

Above  the  height  of  mountains  interposed  ; 

By  what  strange  parallax,  or  oj^tic  skill 


PARADISE  regahstbd.  883 

Of  vision  multiplied  through  air,  or  glass 
Of  tclesco})e,  were  curious  to  inquire ; 
And  now  the  tempter  thus  his  silence  broke  : 
"  The  city  which  thou  seest  no  other  deem 
Than  great  and  glorious  Rome,  queen  of  the  earth 
So  far  renowned,  and  with  the  sj^oiis  enriched 
Of  nations  ;  there  the  capitol  thou  seest 
Above  tlie  rest  lifting  his  stately  head 
On  the  Tarpeian  rock,  her  citadel 
Impregnable,  and  there  Mount  Palatine, 
The  imperial  palace,  compass  huge,  and  high 
The  structure,  skill  of  noblest  architects, 
With  gilded  battlements,  conspicuous  far, 
Turrets  and  terraces,  and  glittering  spires. 
Many  a  fair  edifice  besides,  more  like 
Houses  of  gods  (so  well  I  have  disposed 
My  airy  microscope),  thou  mayst  behold 
Outside  and  inside  both,  pillars  and  roofs. 
Carved  work,  the  hand  of  famed  artificers 
In  cedar,  marble,  ivory,  or  gold. 
Thence  to  the  gates  cast  round  thine  eye,  and  see 
What  conflux  issuing  forth,  or  entering  in  : 
Prajtors,  proconsuls  to  their  provinces 
Hasting,  or  on  return,  in  robes  of  state  ; 
Lictors  and  rods,  the  ensigns  of  their  power, 
Legions  and  cohorts,  turras  of  horse  and  wings  : 
Or  embassies  from  regions  far  remote 
In  various  habits  on  the  Appian  road, 
Or  on  the  Emilian,  some  from  farthest  south 
Syene,  and  A\here  the  shadow  both  way  falls, 
Meroe,  Nilotic  isle,  and  more  to  west. 
The  realm  of  l^occhus  to  tlie  IJlnck-moor  sea; 
Prom  the  Asian  kings,  and  Parthian  amonn-  these. 
From  India  and  the  golden  Cliersonese,      '^ 
And  utmost  Indian  isle,  Taprobane, 
Dusk  faces  Avith  white  silken  turhans  wreathed, 
From  Gallia,  Gades,  and  the  British  west, 
Germans  and  Scythians,  and  Sarraatisms  north 
Beyond  Danubius  to  the  Tauric  pool. 
All  nations  noAv  to  Rome  obedience  pay, 


334  PARADISE    REGAINED. 

To  Rome's  great  emperor,  whose  wide  domain 
In  ample  territory,  wealth  and  power, 
Civility  of  manners,  arts  and  arms. 
And  long  renown,  thou  justly  niayst  prefer 
Before  the  Parthian  ;  these  two  thrones  except, 
The  rest  are  barbarous,  and  scarce  worth  the  sight, 
Shared  among  petty  kings  too  far  removed ; 
These  having  shown  thee,  I  have  shown  thee  all 
The  kingdoms  of  the  world,  and  all  their  glory. 
This  emperor  hath  no  son,  and  now  is  old, 
Old  and  lascivious,  and  from  Rome  retired 
To  Capreae,  an  island  small  but  strong 
On  the  Campanian  shore,  with  purpose  there 
His  horrid  lusts  in  private  to  enjoy, 
Committing  to  a  wicked  favourite 
All  public  cares,  and  yet  of  him  suspicious, 
Hated  of  all,  and  hating  ;  with  what  ease, 
Endued  with  regal  virtues  as  thou  art. 
Appearing,  and  beginning  noble  deeds, 
Mightst  thou  expel  this  monster  from  his  throne 
Now  made  a  sty,  and,  in  his  place  ascending, 
A  victor  people  free  from  servile  yoke  ? 
And  with  my  help  thou  mayst  ;  to  me  the  power 
Is  given,  and  by  that  right  I  give  it  thee. 
Aim  therefore  at  no  less  than  all  the  world. 
Aim  at  the  highest,  Avithout  the  highest  attained 
Will  be  for  thee  no  sitting,  or  not  long, 
On  David's  throne,  be  prophesied  what  Avdll." 
To  whom  the  Son  of  God  unmoved  replied  : 
"  Nor  doth  this  grandeur  and  majestic  show 
Of  luxury,  though  called  magnificence. 
More  than  of  arras  before,  allure  mine  eye. 
Much  less  my  mind ;  though  thou  shouldst  add  to  tell 
Their  sumptuous  gluttonies,  and  gorgeous  feasts 
On  citron  tables,  or  Atlantic  stone 
(For  I  have  also  heard,  perhaps  have  read), 
Their  wines  of  Setia,  Cales,  and  Falcrne, 
Chios,  and  Crete,  and  how  they  quaff  in  gold, 
Crj'stal,  and  myrrhine  cups,  embossed  with  gems 
And  Btuds  of  pearl,  to  me  shouldst  tell  who  thirst 


PARADISE    RKOAIXKD.  335 

Aiifl  hunger  still.     Then  embassies  thou  show'st 

From  nations  far  and  nigli  :  what  honour  that, 

But  tedious  waste  of  time  to  sit  and  hear 

So  many  hollow  compliments  and  lies, 

Outlandish  flatteries '?     Then  proceed'st  to  talk 

Of  the  emperor,  how  easily  subdued, 

How  gloriously  ;  I  shall,  thou  say'st,  expel 

A  brutish  monster  :  what  if  I  withal 

Expel  a  devil  who  first  made  him  such  ? 

Let  his  tormentor  conscience  find  him  out ; 

For  him  I  was  not  sent,  nor  yet  to  free 

That  people  victor  once,  now  vile  and  base, 

Deservedly  made  vassal,  who  once  just, 

Frugal,  and  mild,  and  temperate,  conquered  well, 

But  govern  ill  the  nations  under  yoke, 

Peeling  their  provinces,  exhausted  all 

By  lust  and  rapine  ;  first  ambitious  grown 

Of  triumph,  that  insulting  vanity ; 

Then  cruel,  by  their  sports  to  blood  inured 

Of  fighting  beasts,  and  man  to  beasts  exposed, 

Luxurious  by  their  wealth,  and  greedier  still, 

And  from  the  daily  scene  effeminate. 

What  wise  and  valiant  man  would  seek  to  free 

These  thus  degenerate,  by  themselves  enslaved. 

Or  couid  of  inward  slaves  make  outward  free  ? 

Know,  therefore,  when  my  season  comes  to  sit 

On  David's  throne,  it  shall  be  like  a  tree 

Spreading  and  overshadowing  all  the  earth, 

Or  as  a  stone  that  shall  to  pieces  dash 

All  monarchies  besides  throughout  the  world, 

And  of  my  kingdom  there  shall  be  no  end  : 

Means  there  shall  be  to  this,  but  what  the  means, 

Is  not  for  thee  to  know,  nor  me  to  tell." 

To  whom  the  tempter  impudent  replied  : 
"  I  see  all  offers  made  by  me  how  slight 
Thou  valuest,  because  offered,  and  reject'st : 
Nothing  Avill  please  the  difticult  and  nice. 
Or  nothing  more  than  still  to  contradict : 
On  the  other  side  know  also  thou,  that  I 
On  what  I  offer  set  as  liigrh  esteem, 


336  PARADISE    REGArSIED. 

Nor  what  I  part  with  mean  to  give  for  nought ; 
All  these  which  in  a  moment  thou  behold'st, 
The  kingdoms  of  the  world  to  thee  I  give  ; 
For  given  to  me,  1  give  to  whom  I  please, 
No  trifle  ;  yet  with  this  reserve,  not  else, 
On  this  condition,  if  thou  wilt  fall  down, 
And  worship  me  as  thy  superior  lord, 
Easily  done,  and  hold  them  all  of  me  ; 
For  what  can  less  so  great  a  gift  deserve  ?  " 

Whom  thus  our  Saviour  answered  with  disdain 
"  I  never  liked  thy  talk,  thy  offers  less, 
Now  both  abhor,  since  thou  hast  dared  to  utter 
The  abominable  terms',  impious  condition  ; 
But  I  endure  the  time,  till  which  expired, 
Thou  hast  permission  on  me.     It  is  written 
The  first  of  all  commandments,  'Thou  shalt  worship 
The  Lord  thy  God,  and  only  him  shalt  serve  ; ' 
And  dar'st  thou  to  the  Son  of  God  propound 
To  worship  thee,  accursed,  now  more  accursed 
For  this  attempt  bolder  than  that  on  Eve, 
And  more  blasphemous  ?  which  expect  to  rue. 
The  kingdoms  of  the  world  to  thee  were  given, 
Permitted  rather,  and  by  thee  usurped  ; 
Other  donation  none  thou  canst  produce  : 
If  given,  by  whom  but  by  the  King  of  Kings, 
God  over  all  supreme  ?    If  given  to  thee. 
By  thee  how  fairly  is  the  giver  now 
Repaid  ?     But  gratitude  in  thee  is  lost 
Long  since.     Wert  thou  so  void  of  fear  or  shame, 
As  offer  them  to  me,  the  Son  of  God, 
To  me  my  own  on  such  abhorred  pact, 
That  I  fall  down  and  worship  thee  as  God? 
Get  thee  behind  me  ;  plain  thou  now  appear'st 
That  evil  one,  Satan  for  ever  damned." 

To  whom  the  fiend  with  fear  abashed  replied : 
"  Be  not  so  sorv3  offended,  Son  of  God, 
Though  sons  of  God  both  angels  are  and  men. 
If  I  to  trv  whether  in  higher  sort 
Than  these  thou  bear  st  that  title,  have  proposed 
What  both  from  men  and  angels  I  receive, 


PARADISE    REGAINED.  887 

Tetrarchs  of  fire,  air,  -flood,  and  on  the  earth 
Nations  besides  from  all  the  quartered  winds, 
God  of  this  world  invoked  and  world  beneath ; 
"Who  then  thou  art,  whose  coming  is  foretold 
To  me  so  fatal,  me  it  most  concerns. 
The  trial  hath  endamaged  thee  no  way, 
Kather  more  honour  left  and  more  esteem  ; 
JVIe  nought  advantaged,  missing  what  I  aimed. 
Therefore  let  pass,  as  they  are  ti-ansitory, 
The  kingdoms  of  this  world  ;  I  shall  no  more 
Advise  tliee  ;  gain  them  as  tliou  canst,  or  not. 
And  thou  thyself  seem'st  otherwise  inclined 
Tlian  to  a  worldly  crown,  addicted  more 
To  contem})lation  and  profound  dispute, 
As  by  that  early  action  may  bo  judged. 
When  slipping  from  thy  mother's  eye  thou  went'st 
Alone  into  the  temple,  there  wast  found 
Among  the  gravest  rabbis  disputant 
On  points  and  questions  fitting  Moses'  chair. 
Teaching,  not  taught ;  the  childhood  shows  the  man, 
As  morning  shows  the  day.     Be  famous  then 
By  wisdom  ;  as  thy  empire  must  extend. 
So  let  extend  thy  mind  o'er  all  the  world 
In  knowledge,  all  things  in  it  comprehend : 
All  knowledge  is  not  couched  in  Moses'  law, 
The  Pentateuch,  or  what  the  prophets  wrote : 
The  Gentiles  also  know,  and  write  and  teach 
To  admiration,  led  by  nature's  light ; 
And  with  the  Gentiles  much  thou  must  converse, 
Ruling  them  by  persuasion  as  thou  mean'st; 
Without  their  learning  how  wilt  thou  with  them, 
Or  they  with  thee,  hold  conversation  meet? 
How  wilt  thou  reason  with  them,  how  refute 
Their  idolisms,  traditions,  paradoxes  ? 
Error  by  his  own  arms  is  best  evinced. 
Look  once  more  ere  we  leave  this  specular  mount 
Westward,  much  nearer  by  south-west,  behold 
Where  on  the  JS,gcan  shore  a  city  stands 
Built  nobly,  pure  the  air,  and  light  the  soil ; 
Athens,  the  eye  of  Greece,  mother  of  arta 

22 


338  PARADISE    REGAUfED. 

And  eloquence,  native  to  famous  wits 

Or  hospitable,  in  her  sweet  recess, 

City  or  suburban,  studious  walks  and  shades ; 

See  there  the  olive  grove  of  Academe, 

Plato's  retirement,  where  the  Attic  bird 

Trills  her  thick-warbled  notes  the  summer  long; 

There  Howery  bill  Hymettus,  with  the  sound 

Of  bees'  industrious  murmur,  oft  invites 

To  studious  musing;  there  Ilissus  rolls 

His  whispering  stream  :  within  the  walls  then  vievr 

The  schools  of  ancient  sages  ;  his  who  bred 

Great  Alexander  to  subdue  the  world, 

Lyceum  there,  and  painted  Stoa  next: 

There  thou  shalt  hear  and  learn  the  secret  power 

Of  harmony  in  tones  and  numbers  hit 

By  voice  or  hand,  and  various-measured  verse ; 

uEolian  charms  and  Dorian  lyric  odes. 

And  his  who  gave  them  breath,  but  higher  sung, 

Blind  Melesigenes,  thence  Homer  called. 

Whose  jioem  Phoebus  challenged  for  his  own. 

Thence  what  the  lofty  gra\e  tragedians  taught 

In  chorus  or  iambic,  teachers  best 

Of  moral  prudence,  witl), delight  received 

In  brief  sententious  precepts,  while  they  treat 

Of  fate  and  chance,  and  change  in  human  life ; 

High  actions  and  high  passions  best  describing. 

Thence  to  the  famous  orators  repair, 

Those  ancient,  whose  resistless  eloquence 

Wielded  at  will  that  fierce  democratic, 

Shook  the  arsenal,  and  fulmined  over  Greece 

To  Macedon  and  Artaxerxes'  throne. 

To  sage  philosophy  next  lend  tliine  ear. 

From  Heaven  descended  to  the  low-roofed  house 

Of  Socrates  ;  see  tbei*e  his  tenement, 

Whom  well  inspired  the  oracle  pronounced 

Wisest  of  men  ;  from  whose  mouth  issued  forth 

Mellifluous  streams  that  watered  all  the  schools 

Of  academics  old  and  new,  with  those 

Surnamed  Peripatetics,  and  the  sect 

Epicurean,  and  the  Stoic  severe : 


PABADIBK    KKGAINKD.  83d 

These  here  revolve,  or,  as  thou  lik'st,  at  home, 
Till  time  mature  thee  to  a  kingdom's  weight. 
These  rules  will  render  thee  a  king  complete 
Within  thyself,  much  more  with  empire  joined." 

To  whom  our  Saviour  sagely  thus  replied  : 
"  Think  not  but  that  I  know  these  things,  or  think 
I  know  them  not ;  not  therefore  am  I  short 
Of  knowing  what  I  ought :  he  who  receives 
Light  from  above,  from  the  fountain  of  light, 
No  other  doctrine  needs,  though  granted  true; 
But  these  are  false,  or  little  else  but  dreams, 
Conjectures,  fancies,  built  on  nothing  firm. 
The  first  and  wisest  of  them  all  professed 
To  know  this  only,  that  he  nothing  knew ; 
The  next  to  fabling  fell  and  smooth  conceits ; 
A  third  sort  doubted  all  tilings,  though  plain  sense ; 
Others  in  virtue  placed  felicity, 
But  virtue  joined  with  riches  and  long  life ; 
In  corporal  pleasure  he,  and  careless  ease  ; 
The  Stoic  last,  in  philosophic  pride. 
By  him  called  virtue ;  and  his  virtuous  man, 
Wise,  perfect  in  himself,  and  all  possessing, 
Equals  to  God,  oft  shames  not  to  prefer. 
As  fearing  God  nor  man,  contemning  all 
Wealth,  pleasure,  pain,  or  torment,  death  and  life, 
Which  when  he  lists  he  leaves,  or  boasts  he  can, 
For  all  his  tedious  talk  is  but  vain  boast. 
Or  subtle  shifts  conviction  to  evade. 
Alas!  what  can  they  teach  and  not  mislead, 
Ignorant  of  themselves,  of  God  much  more. 
And  how  the  world  began,  and  how  man  fell 
Degraded  by  himself,  on  grace  depending? 
Much  of  the  soul  they  talk,  but  all  awry, 
And  in  themselves  seek  virtue,  and  to  themselves 
All  glory  arrogate,  to  God  give  none, 
Rather  accuse  liim  under  usual  names, 
Fortune  and  Fate,  as  one  regardless  quite 
Of  mortal  things.     Who  therefore  seeks  in  these 
True  wisdoWj  finds  her  not,  or  by  delusion, 
Far  worse,  her  false  resemblance  only  meets, 


340  PARAUISE    REGAINED. 

An  empty  cloud.     However,  many  books, 

Wise  men  have  said,  are  wearisome  :  who  reads 

Incessantly,  and  to  his  reading  brings  not 

A  spirit  and  judgment  equal  or  superior 

(And  what  he  brings,  what  needs  he  elsewhere  seek  ?), 

Uncertain  and  unsettled  still  remains, 

Dee]>  versed  in  books  and  shallow  in  himself, 

Crude  or  intoxicate,  collecting  toys, 

And  trifles  for  choice  matters,  worth  a  sponge ; 

As  children  gathering  pebbles  on  the  shore. 

Or  if  I  would  delight  my  private  hours 

With  music  or  Avith  poem,  Avhere  so  soon 

As  in  our  native  lanouac^e  can  I  find 

That  solace  ?    All  our  law  and  story  strewed 

With  hymns,  our  psalms  with  artful  terms  inscribed. 

Our  Hebrew  songs  and  harps  in  Babylon, 

That  pleased  so  well  our  victors'  ear,  declare 

That  rather  Greece  from  us  these  arts  derived ; 

111  imitated,  while  they  loudest  sing 

The  vices  of  their  deities,  and  their  own 

In  fable,  hymn,  or  song,  so  personating 

Their  gods  ridiculous,  and  themselves  past  shame. 

Remove  their  swelling  epithets,  thick  laid 

As  varnish  on  a  harlot's  cheek,  the  rest. 

Thin  sown  with  auglit  of  profit  or  delight, 

Will  far  be  found  unworthy  to  compare 

With  Sion's  songs,  to  all  true  tastes  excelling, 

Where  God  is  praised  aright,  and  god-like  men, 

The  Holiest  of  Holies,  and  his  saints  ; 

Such  are  from  God  inspired,  not  such  from  thee^ 

Unless  where  moral  virtue  is  expressed 

By  light  of  nature  not  in  all  quite  lost. 

Their  orators  thou  then  extoll'st,  as  those 

The  top  of  eloquence  ;  statists  indeed, 

And  lovers  of  their  country,  as  may  seem; 

But  herein  to  our  prophets  far  beneath, 

As  men  divinely  taught,  and  better  teaching 

The  solid  rules  of  civil  government. 

In  their  majestic,  unaffected  style, 

Thau  all  the  oratory  of  Greece  and  Rome. 


PARADISE    RKQAINKU.  Ji4l 

In  them  is  plainest  taught,  and  easiest  learnt, 
Wliat  makes  a  nation  happy,  and  keeps  it  so, 
Wliat  ruins  kingdoms,  and  lays  cities  flat ; 
These  only  -with  our  law  best  form  a  king." 

So  spake  the  Son  of  God :  but  Satan  now 
Quite  at  a  loss,  for  all  his  darts  were  spent. 
Thus  to  our  Saviour  with  stern  brow  re])lied  : 

"  Since  neither  wealth,  nor  honour,  arms  nor  art8, 
Kingdom  nor  empire,  pleases  thee,  nor  aught 
By  me  jiroposed  in  life  contemplative, 
Or  active,  tended  on  by  glory  or  fame. 
What  dost  thou  in  this  world?    The  wilderness 
For  thee  is  fittest  place  ;  I  found  thee  there^ 
And  thither  will  return  thee ;  yet  remember 
What  I  foretell  thee :  soon  thou  shalt  have  cause 
To  wish  thou  never  hadst  rejected  thus 
Nicely  or  cautiously  my  offered  aid. 
Which  Avould  have  set  thee  in  short  time  with  ease 
On  David's  throne,  or  throne  of  all  the  world, 
Now  at  full  age,  fullness  of  time,  thy  season, 
When  prophecies  of  thee  are  best  fulfilled. 
Now  contrary,  if  I  read  aught  in  Heaven, 
Or  Heaven  write  aught  of  fate,  by  what  the  stara 
Voluminous,  or  single  characters. 
In  their  conjunction  met,  give  me  to  spell, 
Sorrows,  and  labours,  opposition,  hate. 
Attends  thee,  scorns,  reproaches,  injuries, 
Violence  and  stripes,  and  lastly  cruel  death ; 
A  kingdom  they  portend  thee,  but  what  kingdom, 
Real  or  allegoric,  I  discern  not. 
Nor  when,  eternal  sure,  as  Avithout  end, 
Without  beginning;  for  no  date  prefixed 
Directs  me  iji  the  starry  rubric  set." 

So  saying  he  took  (for  still  he  knew  his  power 
Not  yet  expired),  and  to  the  wilderness 
Brought  back  the  Son  of  God,  and  left  him  there, 
Feigning  to  disappear.     Darkness  now  rose. 
As  daylight  sunk,  and  brought  in  louring  night, 
Her  shadowy  offspring,  unsubstantial  both, 
Privatiojj  mere  of  light  and  absent  day. 


342  PAHADISK    REGAINED. 

Our  Saviour  meek,  and  with  untroubled  mind 

After  his  airy  jaunt,  though  hurried  sore, 

Hungry  and  cold,  betook  him  to  his  rest, 

Wherever,  nnder  some  concourse  of  shades. 

Whose  branching  arms,  thick  intertwined,  might  shield 

From  dews  and  damps  of  night  his  sheltered  head, 

But  sheltered  slept  in  vain,  for  at  his  head 

The  tempter  watched,  and  soon  with  ugly  dreams 

Disturbed  his  sleep  ;  and  either  tropic  now 

'Gan  thunder,  and  both  ends  of  Heaven,  the  clouds 

From  many  a  horrid  rift  abortive  poured 

Fierce  rain  with  lightning  mixed,  water  with  fire 

In  ruin  reconciled  :  nor  slept  the  winds 

Within  their  stony  caves,  but  rushed  abroad 

From  the  four  hinges  of  the  world,  and  fell 

On  the  vexed  wilderness,  whose  tallest  pines. 

Though  rooted  deep  as  high,  and  sturdiest  oaks 

Bowed  their  stiff  necks,  loaden  with  stormy  blasts. 

Or  torn  up  sheer ;  ill  wast  thou  shrouded  then, 

O  patient  Son  of  God,  yet  only  stood'st 

Unshaken  ;  nor  yet  stayed  the  terror  there, 

Infernal  ghosts,  and  hellish  furies,  round 

Environed  thee,  some  howled,  some  yelled,  some  shrieked, 

Some  bent  at  thee  their  fiery  darts,  while  thou 

Sat'st  unappalled  in  calm  and  sinless  peace. 

Thus  passed  the  night  so  foul,  till  morning  fair 

Came  forth  with  pilgrim  steps  in  amice  gray, 

Who  with  her  radiant  finger  stilled  the  roar 

Of  thunder,  chased  the  clouds,  and  laid  the  winds 

And  grisly  spectres,  which  the  fiend  had  raised 

To  tempt  the  Son  of  God  with  terrors  dire. 

And  now  the  sun,  with  more  effectual  beams. 

Had  cheered  the  face  of  earth,  and  dried  the  wet 

From  drooping  plant,  or  dropping  tree  ;  the  birds. 

Who  all  things  now  behold  more  fresh  and  green. 

After  a  night  of  storm  so  ruinous, 

Cleared  up  their  choicest  notes  in  bush  and  spray 

To  gratulate  the  sweet  return  of  morn  ; 

Nor  yet  amidst  this  joy  and  brightest  morn 

Was  absent,  after  all  his  mischief  donej 


PARADISE    KEGAINEU.  34o 

The  prince  of  darkness,  glad  would  also  seem 
Of  this  fair  change,  and  to  our  Saviour  came, 
Yet  Avith  no  new  device,  they  all  were  spent, 
Rather  by  this  his  last  affront  resolved, 
Desperate  of  better  course,  to  vent  his  rage, 
And  mad  despite  to  be  so  oft  repelled. 
Him  walking  on  a  sunny  bill  he  found, 
Backed  on  the  north  and  west  by  a  thick  wood; 
Out  of  the  wood  he  starts  in  wonted  shape, 
And  in  a  careless  mood  thus  to  him  said : 

"  Fair  morning  yet  betides  thee,  Son  of  God, 
After  a  dismal  night;  I  heard  the  wrack 
As  earth  and  sky  would  mingle ;  but  myself 
Was  distant ;  and  these  flaws,  though  mortals  fear  them 
As  dangerous  to  the  pillared  frame  of  Heaven, 
Or  to  the  earth's  dark  basis  underneath. 
Are  to  the  main  as  inconsiderable, 
And  harmless,  if  not  wholesome,  as  a  sneeze 
To  man's  less  universe,  and  soon  arc  gone ; 
Yet  as  being  oft-times  noxious  where  they  light 
On  man,  beast,  plant,  wasteful  and  turbulent. 
Like  turbulencies  in  the  affairs  of  men. 
Over  whose  heads  they  roar,  and  seem  to  point, 
They  oft  fore-signify  and  threaten  ill : 
This  tempest  at  this  desert  most  was  bent ; 
Of  men  at  thee,  for  only  thou  here  dwell'st. 
Did  I  not  tell  thee,  if  thou  didst  reject 
The  perfect  season  offered  with  my  aid 
To  win  thy  destined  seat,  but  wilt  prolong 
All  to  the  push  of  fate,  pursue  thy  way 
Of  gaining  David's  throne  no  man  knows  M'hen, 
Forboth  the  when  and  how  is  no  Avhere  told. 
Thou  shalt  be  what  thou  art  ordained,  no  doubt; 
For  angels  have  proclaimed  it,  but  concealing 
The  time  and  means :  each  act  is  rightliest  done, 
Not  when  it  must,  but  wii?n  it  may  be  best. 
If  thou  observe  not  this,  be  sure  to  find. 
What  I  foretold  thee,  many  a  hard  assay 
Of  dangers,  and  adversities,  and  pains, 
Ere  thou  of  Israel's  sceptre  get  fast  hold ; 


844  PAKADISK    REGAIXKD. 

Whereof  this  ominous  night  that  closed  tlioe  round. 

So  many  terrors,  voices,  prodigies, 

May  warn  thee,  as  a  sure  foregoing  sign." 

So  talked  he ;  while  the  Son  of  God  went  on 
And  stayed  not,  but  in  brief  him  answered  thus : 

*'  Me  worse  than  wet  thou  find'st  not ;  other  harm 
Those  terrors  which  thou  speak'st  of  did  me  none ; 
I  never  feared  thev  could,  thouo:h  noisinst  loud 
And  threatening  nigh  ;  Avhat  they  can  do  as  signs 
Betokening,  or  ill  boding,  I  contemn 
As  false  portents,  not  sent  from  God,  but  thee ; 
Who  knowing  I  shall  reign  past  thy  preventing, 
Obtrud'st  tliy  offered  aid,  that  I  accepting. 
At  least  might  seem  to  hold  all  power  of  thee, 
Ambitious  spirit,  and  wouldst  be  thought  my  God, 
And  storm'st  refused,  thinking  to  terrify 
Me  to  thy  will.     Desist,  thou  art  dis*erned, 
And  toil'st  in  vain,  nor  me  in  vain  molest." 

To  Avhom  the  fiend,  now  swollen  with  rage,  replied : 
"Then  hear,  O  Son  of  David,  virgin-born  ; 
For  Son  of  God  to  me  is  yet  in  doubt : 
Of  the  Messiah  I  have  heard  foretold 
By  all  the  prophets  ;  of  thy  birth  at  length 
Announced  by  Gabriel  with  the  first  I  knew, 
And  of  the  angelic  song  in  Bethlehem  field, 
On  thy  birth-night,  that  sung  thee  Saviour  born. 
From  that  time  seldom  have  I  ceased  to  eye 
Thy  infancy,  thy  childhood,  and  thy  youth. 
Thy  manhood  last,  though  yet  in  private  bred; 
Till  at  the  ford  of  Jordan,  whither  all 
Flocked  to  the  Baptist,  I  among  the  rest. 
Though  not  to  be  baptized,  by  voice  from  Heaven 
Heard  thee  pronounced  the  Son  of  God  beloved. 
Thenceforth  I  thought  thee  worth  my  nearer  view 
And  narrower  scrutin}^,  that  I  might  learn 
In  what  dejifree  or  meanino-  thou  art  called 
The  Son  of  God,  which  bears  no  single  sense  j 
The  Son  of  God  I  also  am,  or  was. 
And  if  I  was,  I  am  ;  relation  stands  ; 
All  men  are  sous  of  God ;  yet  thee  I  thought 


TAKADISE    REGAINKD.  345 

In  some  respect  far  hif^her  so  declared. 

Therefore  I  watclicd  thy  footsteps  fi-om  that  hour, 

And  followed  thee  still  on  to  this  waste  wild ; 

Where  by  all  best  conjectures  I  collect 

Thou  art  to  be  my  fatal  enemy. 

Good  reason  then,  if  I  beforehand  seek 

To  xmderstand  my  adversary,  who 

And  what  he  is  ;  his  wisdom,  power,  intent ; 

By  parle,  or  composition,  truce,  or  league 

To  win  him,  or  win  from  him  what  I  can. 

And  opportunity  I  here  have  had 

To  try  thee,  sift  thee,  and  confess  have  found  thee 

Proof  against  all  temptation,  as  a  rock 

Of  adamant,  and  as  a  centre,  firm. 

To  the  utmost  of  mere  man  both  wise  and  good, 

Not  more  :  for  honors,  riches,  kingdoms,  glory, 

Have  been  before  contemned,  and  may  again  ; 

Therefore  to  know  what  more  thou  art  than  man, 

Worth  naming  Son  of  God  by  voice  from  Heaven, 

Another  method  I  must  now  begin." 

So  saying,  he  caught  him  up,  and,  without  wing 
Of  hippogrif,  bore  through  the  air  sublime 
Over  the  wilderness  and  o'er  the  plain  ; 
Till  underneath  them  fair  Jerusalem, 
The  holy  city,  lifted  high  her  toAvers, 
And  higher  yet  the  glorious  temple  reared 
Her  pile,  far  off  appearing  like  a  mount 
Of  alabaster,  topped  with  golden  spires : 
There  on  the  highest  pinacle  he  set 
The  Son  of  God,  and  added  thus  in^scorn  : 

"There  stand,  if  thou  wilt  stand';  to  stand  upright 
Will  ask  thee  skill ;  I  to  thy  Father's  house 
Have  brought  thee,  and  highest  placed,  highest  is  best ; 
NoAV  show  thy  progeny ;  if  not  to  stand. 
Cast  thyself  down  ;  safely,  if  Son  of  God  ; 
For  it  is  writtex»,  '  He  Avill  give  command 
Concerning  thee  to  his  angels,  in  their  hands 
They  shall  up-lift  thee,  lest  at  any  time 
Thou  chance  to  dash  thy  foot  against  a  stone.'  " 

To  whom  thus  Jesus :  "  Also  it  is  written, 


846  PABADISK   REGAINED. 

Tempt  not  the  Lord  thy  God  : "  he  said  and  stood : 

But  Satan,  smitten  with  amazement,  fell. 

As  when  earth's  son,  Antaeus  (to  compare 

Small  things  with  greatest)  in  Irassa  strove 

With  Jove's  Alcides,  and  oft  foiled  still  rose. 

Receiving  from  his  mother  earth  ncAV  strength, 

Fresh  from  his  fall,  and  fiercer  grapple  joined, 

Throttled  at  length  in  the  air,  expired  aod  fell ; 

So  after  many  a  foil  the  tempter  proud, 

Renewing  fresh  assaults  amidst  his  pride 

Fell  whence  he  stood  to  see  his  victor  fall. 

And  as  that  Theban  monster  that  proposed 

Her  riddle,  and  him  who  solved  it  not  devoured, 

That  once  found  out  and  solved,  for  grief  and  spit* 

Cast  herself  headlong  from  the  Ismenian  steep  ; 

So  struck  with  dread  and  anguish  fell  the  fiend. 

And  to  his  crew,  that  sat  consulting,  brought 

Joyless  triumphs  of  his  hoped  success, 

Ruin,  and  desperation,  and  dismay. 

Who  durst  so  proudly  tempt  the  Son  of  God. 

So  Satan  fell ;  and  straight  a  fiery  globe 

Of  angels  on  full  sail  of  wing  flew  nigh. 

Who  on  their  plumy  vans  received  him  soft 

From  his  uneasy  station,  and  upbore, 

As  on  a  floating  couch,  through  the  blithe  air, 

Then  in  a  flowery  valley  set  him  down 

On  a  green  bank,  and  set  before  him  spread 

A  table  of  celestial  food,  divine, 

Ambrosial  fruits,  fetched  from  the  tree  of  life, 

And  from  tlie  fount  of  life  ambrossial  drink. 

That  soon  refreshed  him  wearied,  and  repaired 

What  hunger,  if  aught  hunger  had  impaired, 

Or  thirst ;  and  as  he  fed,  angelic  quires 

Sunir  heavenlv  anthems  of  his  victory 

Over  temj)tation,  and  the  tempter  proud, 

"  True  image  of  the  Father,  whether  throned 
In  the  bosom  of  bliss,  and  light  of  light 
Conceiving,  or  remote  from  Heaven,  enshrined 
In  fleshly  tabernacle,  and  human  form, 
Wandering  the  wilderness,  whatever  place, 


PARADISE    REGAINED. 

Habit,  or  state,  or  motion,  still  expressing 

The  Son  of  God,  with  godlike  force  endued 

Against  the  attempter  of  thy  Father's  throne, 

And  thief  of  Paradise  ;  him  long  of  old 

Thou  didst  debel,  and  down  from  Heaven  cast 

With  all  his  army ;  now  thou  hast  avenged 

Supplanted  Adam,  and  by  vanquishing 

Temptation,  bast  regained  lost  Paradise, 

And  frustrated  the  conquest  fraudulent: 

He  never  more  benceforth  will  dare  set  foot 

In  Paradise  to  tempt ;  his  snares  are  broke  : 

For  though  that  seat  of  earthly  bliss  be  failed, 

A  fairer  Paradise  is  founded  now 

For  Adam  and  his  chosen  sons,  whom  thou 

A  Saviour  art  come  down  to  reinstal 

Where  they  shall  dwell  secure,  when  time  shall  be. 

Of  tempter  and  temptation  without  fear. 

But  thou,  infernal  serpent,  shalt  not  long 

Rule  in  the  clouds ;  like  an  autumnal  star 

Or  lightning  thou  shalt  fall  from  Heaven,  trod  down 

Under  his  feet ;  for  proof,  ere  this  thou  feel'st 

Thy  wound,  yet  not  thy  last  and  deadliest  wound, 

By  this  repulse  received,  and  hold'st  in  Hell 

No  triumph  ;  in  all  her  gates  Abaddon  rues 

Thy  bold  attempt ;  hereafter  learn  with  awe 

To  dread  the  Son  of  God  :  he  all  unarmed 

Shall  chase  thee  with  the  terror  of  his  voice 

From  thy  demoniac  holds,  possession  foul, 

Thee  and  thy  legions  ;  yelling  they  shall  fly, 

And  beg  to  hide  them  in  a  herd  of  swine. 

Lest  he  command  them  down  into  the  deep 

Bound,  and  to  torment  sent  before  their  time. 

Hail !  Son  of  the  Most  High,  heir  of  both  worlds, 

Queller  of  Satan,  on  thy  glorious  work 

Now  enter,  and  begin  to  save  mankind." 

Thus  they  the  Son  of  God,  our  Saviour  meek. 
Sung  victor,  and  from  heavenly  feast  refreshed 
Brought  on  his  way  with  joy  ;  he  unobserved 
Home  to  his  mother's  private  house  returned. 


S47 


A  DRAMATIC  POEM. 


Tpaycpdta  ixtfii^aiq  -Kpa^sioq  (XTZoudata^. — x.  t.  L 

Aristot.  Poet.,  cap.  vl 

Tragcedla  est  imitatio  actionis  seriae,  &c.,  per  miseiicordiam  et  metam 
perficiens  talium  affectuiim  instrationem. 


OF  THAT  SORT  OF  DRAMATIC  POEM  WHICH  IS 
CALLED  TRAGEDY. 

Tragedy,  as  it  was  anciently  composed,  hath  been  ever 
held  the  gravest,  moralest,  and  most  profitable  of  all  other 
poems  ;  therefore  said  by  Aristotle  to  be  of  |iower,  by  rais- 
ing pity  and  fear,  or  terror,  to  purge  the  mind  of  those  and 
such  like  passions,  that  is,  to  temper  and  reduce  thorn  to 
just  measure  with  a  kind  of  delight,  stirred  up  by  reading 
or  seeing  those  passions  well  imitnted.  Nor  is  nature 
wanting  in  her  own  effects  to  make  good  his  assertion: 
for  so  in  physic,  tilings  of  melancholic  hue  and  quality  are 
used  against  melancholy,  sour  against  sour  ;  $alt  to  remove 
salt  humours.  Hence,  philosophers  and  other  gravest 
writers,  as  Cicero,  Plutarch,  and  others,  frequently  cite 
out  of  tragic  poets,  both  to  adorn  and  illustrate  theii-  dis- 
course. The  Apostle  Paul  liimsclf  thought  it  not  un- 
worthy to  insert  averse  of  Euripides  into  the  text  of  Holy 
Scripture,  1  Cor.  xv.  33  ;  and  Paraeus,  commenting  on  the 

(348) 


riAMSON    AGONISTKS.  349 

Revelation,  divides  the  whole  book  as  a  tragedy,  into  acts 
distinguished  each  by  a  chorus  of  heavenly  h.'irpings  and 
song  between.     Heretofore,  men  in  highest  dignity  have 
laboured  not  a  little  to  be  thought  able  to  compose  a 
tragedy.     Of  that  honour  Dionysius  the  elder  was  no  less 
ambitious,  than  before  of  his   attaining  to   the  tyranny. 
Augustus  Cassar  also  begun  his  Ajax,  but  unable  to  please 
bis  own  judgment  with  what  he  had  begun,  left  it  un- 
finished.    Seneca,  the  philosopher,  is  by  some  thought  th.e 
author  of  those  tragedies  (at  least  the  best  of  them)  that 
go  under  that  name.     Gregory  Nazianzen,  a  father  of  the 
church,  thought  it  not  unbeseeming  the  sanctity  of  his 
person  to  write  a  tragedy,  which   is   entitled    "  Christ 
Suffering."     This    is    mentioned    to    vindicate    tragedy 
from  the  small  esteem,  or  rather  infamy,  which,  in  the 
account  of  many,  it  undergoes  at  this  day  with   other 
common  interludes  ;  happening  through  the  poets'  error 
of  intermixing  comic  stuff  with  tragic  sadness  and  gravity; 
or  introducing  trivial  and  vulgar  persons,  which  by  all 
judicious  hath  been  counted  absurd  ;  andbrouglit  in  with- 
out  discretion,  corruptly   to   gratify   the   people.     And 
though  ancient  tragedy  use  no  prologue,  yet  using  some- 
times, in  case  of  self-defence  or  explanation,  that  which 
Martial  calls  an  epistle;  in  behalf  of  this  tragedy  coming 
forth  after  the  ancient  manner,  much  different  from  Avhat 
among  us  ])asses  for  best,  thus  nuieh  beforehand  may  be 
ej)islled  ;  that  chorus  is  here  introduced  after  the  Greek 
manner,  not  ancient  only  but  modern,  and  still  in  use 
among  the  Italians.     In  the  modelling,  therefore,  of  this 
poem,  with  good  reason,  the  ancients  and  Italians  are  rather 
followed,  as  of   much    more   authority  and   fame.     The 
measure  of  verso  used  in  the  chorus  is  of  all  sorts,  called 
by  the  Greeks  ]Monostro])hic,  or   rather  Apolclymenon, 
without  regard  had  to  Strophe,  Antistro])he,  or  Ejiode, 
which  were  a  kind  of  stanzas  framed  only  for  the  music 
then  used  with  the  chorus  that  sung;  not  essentinl  to  the 
poem,  and  therefore  not  inaterial ;  or  being  divided  into 
stanzas    or    pauses,  they  may  be    called   Allceostropha. 
Division  into  act  and  scene  refennng  chiefly  to  the  stnge 
(to  which  this  work  never  was  intended),  is  here  omitted. 


350  8AM80N    AGONISTES. 

It  suffices  if  the  whole  drama  be  found  not  produced 
beyond  the  fifth  act.  Of  the  style  and  uniformity,  and 
that  commonly  called  the  plot,  whether  intricate  or  ex- 
plicit, which  is  nothing,  indeed,  but  such  oeconomy  or 
disposition  of  the  fable  as  may  stand  best  with  verisi- 
militude and  decorum  ;  they  only  Avill  best  judge  who  are 
not  unacquainted  with -^schylus,  Sophocles,  and  Eurip- 
ides, the  three  tragic  poets  unequalled  yet  by  any,  and  the 
best  rule  to  all  who  endeavour  to  write  tragedy.  The 
circumscription  of  time,  wherein  the  whole  drama  begins 
and  ends,  is,  according  to  ancient  rule  and  best  example, 
within  the  space  of  twenty-four  hours. 


the  peksons. 

Samsoin". 

Makoah,  the  Father  of  Samson, 

Dalila,  his  Wife. 

Harapha  of  Gath. 

Public  Officer. 

Messenger, 

Chorus  of  DanitCB, 

The  ScEXE  hefore  the  Prison  in  Gkiza. 


THE  ABQUMEHT. 

Samsoi^  made  captive,  blind,  and  now  in  the  prison  at  Gaza,  there  lo 
labour  as  in  a  common  worlchonse,  on  a  festival  day,  iu  the  general 
cessation  from  labour,  comes  forth  into  the  open  air  to  a  place  nigh, 
somewhat  retired,  there  to  sit  awhile  and  bemoan  his  condition;  where 
he  happens  at  lengtli  to  be'visited  by  certain  friends  and  equals  of  liis 
tribe,  wliich  make  the  Chorus,  who  seek  to  comfort  him  what  tliey  can  ; 
then  by  his  old  father,  Manoah,  who  endeavours  the  like,  and  withal 
tolls  him  his  purpose  to  procure  his  liberty  by  ransom ;  lastly,  that  this 
feast  was  proclaimed  by  the  Philistines  as  a  day  of  thanlvsgiving  for 
their  deliverance  from  the  hands  of  Samson,  wliich  yet  more  troubles 
him.    Manoah  then  depart*  to  prosecute  his  endearour  with  the  Philip 


SAMSON    Ar.ON"ISTi:R.  861 

ti.in  \otSs  for  Sampon's  redemption;  who  in  the  mean  while  1«  visited  by 
oihor  persons,  and  lastly  by  a  public  officer,  to  require  his  coining  to  the 
feast  before  the  lords  and  iieojile.  to  play  or  show  his  strength  in  their 
presence:  he  at  first  refuses,  disiuissiiij;  the  public  officer  with  absolute 
denial  to  come;  at  length,  jiersuaded  inwardly  that  this  was  from  (iod, 
he  yields  to  jio  alon^  with  him,  who  came  now  the  second  time  with 
pieat  threateninp;s  to  fetch  him.  The  Chorus  yet  remaining  on  the  place, 
Manoah  returns,  fidlof  joyfid  hope,  to  procure  ere  long  his  son's  deliver- 
ance; in  the  midst  of  which  discourse  an  Hebrew  comes  in  haste,  con- 
fusedly at  first,  and  afterward  more  distinctly,  relatin<;  the  catastrophe, 
what  Samson  had  done  to  the  Philistines,  and  by  accident  to  himself  ; 
wherewith  the  tragedy  ends. 

SAMSON. 

A  LITTLE  onward  lend  thy  guiding  hand 

To  these  dark  steps,  a  little  further  on  ; 

For  yonder  bunk  hath  choice  of  sun  or  shade  : 

There  I  am  wont  to  sit  wlien  any  chance 

Relieves  me  from  my  task  of  servile  toil, 

Daily  in  the  common  prison  else  enjoined  me, 

Where  I  a  prisoner  chained,  scarce  freely  draw 

The  air  imprisoned  also,  close  and  damp, 

Unwholesome  draught:  but  here  I  feel  amends, 

The  breath  of  Heaven  fresh  blowing,  pure  and  sweet, 

"With  day-spring  born  ;  here  leave  me  to  respii-e. 

This  day  a  solemn  feast  the  people  hold 

To  Dagon  their. sea  idol,  and  forbid 

Laborious  works;  unwillingly  this  rest 

Their  superstition  yields  me;  hence  with  leave 

Retiring  from  the  popular  noise,  I  seek 

This  unfrequented  place  to  find  some  ease, 

Ease  to  the  body  some,  none  to  the  mind 

From  restless  thoughts,  that  like  a  deadly  swarm 

Of  hornets  armed,  no  sooner  found  alone, 

But  rush  upon  me  thronging,  and  present 

Times  past,  what  once  I  was,  and  what  am  now. 

Oh,  wherefore  was  my  birth  from  Heaven  foretold 

Twice  by  an  angel,  who  at  last  in  sight 

Of  both  my  parents  all  in  flames  ascended 

From  off  the  altar,  where  an  offering  burned, 

As  in  a  fiery  column  charioting 

His  god-like  presence,  and  from  some  great  act 

Or  benefit  revealed  to  Abraham's  race  ? 


B52  SAMSOX    AGOXrSTES. 

Wliy  was  my  breeding  ordered  and  prescribed 

As  of  a  person  separate  to  God, 

Designed  for  great  exploits  ;  if  I  must  die 

Betrayed,  captived,  and  both  my  eyes  put  out, 

Made  of  my  enemies  the  scorn  and  gaze; 

To  grind  in  brazen  fetters  under  task 

With  this  Heaven-gifted  strength  ?     O  glorious  strength 

Put  to  the  labour  of  a  beast,  debased 

Lower  than  bondslave  !     Promise  was  that  I 

Should  Israel  from  Philistiau  yoke  deliver  ; 

Ask  for  this  great  deliverer  now,  and  find  him 

Eyeless  in  Gaza,  at  the  mill  with  slaves, 

Himself  in  bonds  under  Philistiau  yoke : 

Yet  stay,  let  me  not  rashly  call  in  doubt 

Divine  prediction  ;  what  if  all  foretold 

Had  been  fulfilled  but  through  mine  own  default. 

Whom  have  I  to  complain  of  but  myself? 

Who  this  high  gift  of  strength  committed  to  me. 

In  what  part  lodged,  how  easily  bereft  me, 

Under  the  seal  of  silence  could  not  keep, 

But  weakly  to  a  woman  must  reveal  it, 

O'ercome  with  importunity  and  tears. 

O  impotence  of  mind,  in  body  sti'ong ! 

But  what  is  streuLCth  Avithout  a  double  share 

Of  wisdom?  vast,  unwieldly,  burdensome. 

Proudly  secure,  yet  liable  to  fall 

By  weakest  subtleties,  not  made  to  rule, 

But  to  subserve  where  wisdom  bears  command! 

God,  when  he  gave  me  strength,  to  shoAV  withal 

How  slight  the  gift  was,  hung  it  in  my  hair. 

But  peace !  I  must  not  quarrel  witli  the  will 

Of  highest  dis))ensation,  which  herein 

Ilaply  had  ends  above  my  reach  to  know  : 

Suffices  that  to  me  strength  is  my  bane, 

And  proves  the  source  of  all  my  miseries  ; 

So  many  and  so  huge,  that  each  apart 

Would  ask  a  life  to  wail  ;  but  chief  of  all, 

0  loss  of  sight,  of  thee  I  most  comi)lain  ! 

Blind  among  enemies,  0  worse  than  chains, 

Dungeon  or  beggary,  or  decrepit  age  ! 


8AMSON    AOOXISTES.  35b 

Light,  the  prime  work  of  God,  to  me  is  extinct, 

And  :ill  lier  various  objects  of  delight 

Annulled,  which  might  in  part  my  grief  have  eased  ; 

Inferior  to  the  vilest  now  become 

Of  man  or  worm  ;  the  vilest  here  excel  me ; 

Tiiey  creep,  yet  see  ;  I,  dark  in  light,  exposed 

To  daily  fraud,  contempt,  abuse,  and  wrong, 

Witliin  doors,  or  without,  still  as  a  fool. 

In  j^ower  of  others,  never  in  my  own  ; 

Scarce  lialf  I  seem  to  live,  dead  more  than  half. 

Oil,  dark,  dark,  dark,  amid  the  blaze  of  noon, 

Irrecoverably  dark,  total  eclipse, 

Without  all  hope  of  day  ! 

O  first  created  beam,  and  thou  great  Word, 

"  Let  there  be  light  ! "  and  light  was  over  all ; 

Why  am  I  thus  bereaved  thy  prime  decree  ? 

The  sun  to  me  is  dark 

And  silent  as  the  moon, 

Wlien  she  desei-ts  the  night, 

Hid  in  her  vacant  interlunar  cave. 

Since  light  so  necessary  is  to  life, 

And  almost  life  itself,  if  it  be  true 

That  light  is  in  the  soul, 

She  all  in  every  part  :  why  was  the  sight 

To  such  a  tender  ball  as  the  eye  confined. 

So  obvious  and  so  easy  to  be  quenched  ? 

And  not  as  feeling  through  all  parts  diffused. 

That  she  might  look  at  will  through  every  pore? 

Tlicn  had  I  not  been  thus  exiled  from  light. 

As  in  the  land  of  darkness,  yet  in  light, 

To  live  a  life  lialf  dead,  a  living  death, 

And  buried  ;  but,  oh,  yet  more  miserable  I 

Myself,  my  sepulchre,  a  moving  grave, 

Buried,  yet  not  exem]it 

By  privilege  of  death  and  burial 

From  worst  of  other  evils,  pains  and  wrongs, 

But  made  hereby  obnoxious  more 

To  all  the  miseries  of  life. 

Life  in  captivity 

Among  inhuman  foes. 


354  BAilSON    AGONISTBS. 

But  who  are  these  ?  for  with  joint  pace  I  hear 
The  tread  of  many  feet  steering  this  way  ; 
Perhaps  my  enemies,  wlio  come  to  stare 
At  my  affliction,  and  perhaps  to  insult, 
Their  daily  practice  to  afflict  me  more. 

CIIOKUS, 

This,  this  is  he  ;  softly  awhile, 
Let  us  not  break  in  upon  him  : 
Oh,  change  beyond  report,  thought,  or  belief  I 
See  how  he  lies  at  random,  carelessly  diffused, 
With  languished  head  unpropped, 
As  one  past  hope,  abandoned, 
And  by  himself  given  over  ; 
In  slavish  habit,  ill-fitted  weeds 
O'er-worn  and  soiled ; 

Or  do  my  eyes  misrepresent  ?     Can  this  be  he, 
That  heroic,  that  renowned. 
Irresistible  Samson  ?  whom  unarmed 
No  strength  of  man,  or  fiercest  wild  beast  could  withstand  ; 
Who  tore  the  lion,  as  the  lion  tears  the  kid  ; 
Ran  on  embattled  armies  clad  iu  iron, 
And  weaponless  himself ; 
Made  arms  ridiculous,  useless  the  forgery 
Of  brazen  shield  and  spear,  the  hammered  cuirass, 
Chalybean  tempered  steel,  and  frock  of  mail, 
Adamantean  proof; 
But  safest  he  who  stood  aloof. 
When  insupportably  his  foot  advanced. 
In  scorn  of  their  proud  arms  and  warlike  tools, 
Spurned  them  to  death  by  ti'oops.     The  bold  Ascalonite 
Fled  from  his  lion  ramp,  old  warriors  turned 
Their  plated  backs  under  his  heel ; 
Or  grovelling  soiled  their  crested  helmets  in  the  dust. 
Then  with  what  trivial  weapon  came  to  hand. 
The  jaw  of  a  dead  ass,  his  sword  of  bone, 
A  thousand  foreskins  fell,  the  flower  of  Palestine, 
In  Ramath-lechi  famous  to  this  day. 
Then  by  main  force  pulled  up,  and  on  his  shoulders  bore 
The  gates  of  Azza,  post,  and  massy  bar. 
Up  to  the  hill  by  Hebron,  seat  of  giants  old, 


SAMSON    AGONISTBS.  855 

No  journey  of  a  sabbath-day,  and  loaded  bo  ; 

Like  whom  the  Gentiles  feign  to  bear  up  Heaven. 

Which  shall  I  first  bewail, 

Thy  bondage  or  lost  sight, 

Prison  within  prison, 

Inseparably  dark  ? 

Thou  art  become  (oh,  worst  imprisonment !) 

The  dungeon  of  thyself  ;  thy  soul 

(Which  men  enjoying  sight  oft  without  cause  complain) 

Imprisoned  now  indeed. 

In  real  darkness  of  the  body  dwells, 

Shut  up  from  outward  light 

To  incorporate  with  gloomy  night ; 

For  inward  light,  alas  ! 

Puts  forth  no  visual  beam. 

O  mirror  of  our  fickle  state, 

Since  man  on  earth  unparalleled  1 

The  rarer  thy  example  stands, 

By  how  much  from  the  top  of  wondrous  glory, 

Strongest  of  mortal  men. 

To  lowest  pitch  of  abject  fortune  thou  art  fallen. 

For  him  I  reckon  not  in  high  estate 

Whom  long  descent  of  birth 

Or  the  sphere  of  fortune  raises ; 

But  thee  whose  strength,  while  virtue  was  her  mate, 

Miorht  have  subdued  the  earth, 

Universally  crowned  with  highest  praises. 

SAMSON. 

I  hear  the  sound  of  words,  their  sense  the  air 
Dissolves  unjointed  ere  it  reach  my  ear, 

CHORUS. 

lie  speaks,  let  us  draw  nigh.     Matchless  in  might. 
The  glory  late  of  Israel,  now  the  grief ; 
We  come,  thy  friends  and  neighbours  not  unknown, 
From  Eshtaol  and  Zora's  fruitful  vale 
To  visit  or  bewail  thee  ;  or,  if  better, 
Counsel  or  consolation  we  may  bring. 
Salve  to  thy  sores  ;  apt  words  have  power  to  swage 
The  tumours  of  a  troubled  mind. 
And  are  as  balm  to  festered  wounds. 


356  8AMS0X    AGONI8TK3. 

SAMSON. 

Your  coming,  friends,  revives  me,  for  I  learn 
Now  of  my  own  experience,  not  by  talk. 
How  counteiieit  a  coin  they  are  who  friends 
Bear  in  their  superscription  (of  the  most 
I  would  be  understood)  :  in  prosperous  days 
They  swarm,  but  in  adverse  withdraw  tlieir  head, 
Not  to  be  found,  tliough  sought.     Ye  see,  O  friends, 
How  many  evils  have  enclosed  me  round  ; 
Yet  that  which  was  the  worst  now  least  afflicts  me. 
Blindness,  for  had  I  sight,  confused  with  shame, 
How  could  I  once  look  iip,  or  heave  the  head, 
Who  like  a  foolish  pilot  have  shipwrecked 
My  vessel  trusted  to  me  from  above, 
Gloriously  rigged  ;  and  for  a  word,  a  tear, 
Fool  !  have  divulged  the  secret  gift  of  God 
To  a  deceitful  woman  ?     Tell  me,  friends, 
Am  I  not  sung  and  proverbed  for  a  fool 
In  every  street  ?    Do  they  not  say,  How  well 
Are  come  upon  him  his  deserts?     Yet  why? 
Immeasurable  strength  thev  might  behold 
In  me,  of  wisdom  notliing  moi'e  than  mean  ; 
This  with  the  other  sliould,  at  least,  have  paired. 
These  two  proportioned  ill  drove  uie  transverse. 

CHORUS. 

Tax  not  divine  disposal ;  wisest  men 
Have  erred,  and  by  bad  women  been  deceived ; 
And  shall  again,  pretend  they  ne'er  so  wise. 
Deject  not  then  so  overmuch  tliyself, 
Who  hast  of  sorrow  tl)y  full  load  besides  ; 
Yet  truth  to  say,  I  oft  have  heard  men  wonder 
Why  thou  sliouldst  wed  Philistian  women  rather 
Than  of  thine  own  tribe  fairer,  or  as  fair, 
At  least  of  thy  own  nation,  and  as  noble. 

SAMSON. 

The  first  I  saAV  at  Timna,  r.nd  she  pleased 
Me,  not  my  parents,  that  I  sought  to  wed 
The  daughter  of  an  infidel :  they  knew  not 
That  what  I  motioned  was  of  God  ;  I  knew 
From  intimate  impulse,  and  therefore  urged 


8AMSOX    AGOXI8TK8.  357 

The  marriage  on  ;  that  by  occasion  hence 

I  might  begin  Israel's  deiiverance, 

The  Avork  to  which  I  Avas  divinely  called. 

She  proving  false,  the  next  I  took  to  wife 

(Oh  that  I  never  had  !  fond  wish  too  late) 

Was  in  the  vale  of  Sorec,  Dalila, 

That  specious  monster,  my  accomplished  snare. 

I  thought  it  lawful  from  my  former  act, 

And  the  same  end  ;  still  watching  to  oppress 

Israel's  o]ipressors  :  of  what  now  I  suffer 

She  was  not  the  prime  cause,  but  I  myself, 

Who  vanquished  with  a  peal  of  words  (Oh  weakness!) 

Gave  up  my  fort  of  silence  to  a  woman. 

CIIOKUS. 

In  seeking  just  occasion  to  provoke 
The  Philistine,  thy  country's  enemy, 
Thou  never  wast  remiss,  I  bear  thee  witness : 
Yet  Israel  still  serves  with  all  his  sons. 

SAMSON. 

That  fault  I  take  not  on  me,  but  transfer 
On  Israel's  governors,  and  heads  of  tribes, 
Who  seeing  those  great  acts,  which  God  had  done 
Singly  by  me  against  their  conquerors, 
Acknowledged  not,  or  not  at  all  considered 
Deliverance  offered  :  I,  on  the  other  side. 
Used  no  ambition  to  commend  my  deeds, 
The  deeds  themselves,  though  mute,  spoke  loud  the  doc-r  j 
But  they  persisted  deaf,  and  would  not  seem 
To  count  them  things  worth  notice,  till  at  length 
Their  lords,  the  Philistines,  with  gathered  powers, 
Entered  Judea  seeking  me,  who  then 
Safe  to  the  rock  of  Etham  was  retired, 
'Not  flying,  but  forecasting  in  Avhat  place 
To  set  upon  them,  Avhat  advantaged  best: 
jMeauAvhile  the  men  of  Judah,  to^prevent 
The  harass  of  their  land,  beset  me  round  ; 
I  Avillingly  on  some  conditions  came 
Into  their  hands,  and  they  as  gladly  yield  me 
To  the  unciroumcised  a  welcome  prey, 
Bound  with  two  cords  ;  but  cords  to  me  were  threacTa 
Touched  with  the  flame  :  on  their  whole  host  I  flew 


858  SAMSON    AGONI8TEB. 

TJn armed,  and  with  a  trivial  weapon  felled 
Their  choicest  youth  ;  they  only  lived  who  fled. 
Had  Judah  that  day  joined,  or  one  whole  tribe, 
They  had  by  this  possessed  tlie  towers  of  Gath, 
And  lorded  over  them  whom  now  they  serve. 
But  what  more  oft  in  nations  grown  corrupt, 
And  by  their  vices  brouglit  to  servitude, 
Than  to  love  bondage  more  than  liberty. 
Bondage  with  ease  than  strenuous  liberty; 
And  to  despise,  or  envy,  or  suspect 
Whom  God  hath  of  his  special  favour  raised 
As  their  deliverer ;  if  he  aught  begin, 
\       How  frequent  to  desert  him,  and  at  last 
\       To  heap  ingratitude  on  worthiest  deeds  ? 

!'  CUORUS. 

Thy  words  to  my  remembrance  bring 
How  Succoth  and  the  fort  of  Fennel 
Their  great  deliverer  contemned. 
The  matchless  Gideon  in  pursuit 
Of  Madian  and  her  A-anquished  kings: 
I       And  how  ingratef ul  Ephraim 
I       Had  dealt  Avith  Jephtha,  who  by  argument, 

I        Not  worse  than  by  his  shield  and  speai', 
Defended  Israel  from  the  Ammonite, 
Had  not  his  prowess  quelled  their  prido 
I       In  that  sore  battle,  when  so  many  died 
Without  reprieve,  adjudged  to  death 
For  want  of  well  pronouncing  Shibboleth. 

SAMSOX. 

Of  such  examples  add  me  to  the  roll, 
Me  easily  indeed  mine  may  neglect, 
But  God's  proposed  deliverance  not  so. 

CHORUS. 

.'-  Just  are  the  ways  of  God, 

And  justifiable  to  men  ; 

Unless  there  be  who  think  not  God  at  all  r 

If  any  be,  they  walk  obscure ; 

For  of  such  doctrine  never  was  there  school. 

But  the  heart  of  the  fool. 

And  no  man  therein  doctor  but  himself,  j 


SAMSON    AQ0N18TE8.  859 

Yet  more  there  be  who  doubt  his  ways  not  just, 
As  to  his  OAvn  edicts  found  contradicting, 
Then  cjive  the  reins  to  wanderinu;  thought, 
Regardless  of  his  glory's  diminution  ; 
Till  by  their  own  perplexities  involved 
They  revel  more,  still  less  resolved, 
But  never  find  self-satisfying  solution. 

As  if  they  would  confine  the  Interminable, 
And  tie  him  to  his  own  prescript. 
Who  made  our  laws  to  bind  us,  not  himself. 
And  hath  full  right  to  exempt 
Whom  so  it  pleases  him  by  choice 
From  national  obstriction,  without  taint 
Of  sin,  or  legal  debt ; 
For  with  his  own  laws  he  can  best  dispense. 

He  would  not  else  who  never  wanted  means, 
JiTor  in  respect  of  the  enemy  just  cause 
To  set  his  i)eople  free, 
Have  prompted  this  heroic  Nazarite, 
Against  his  vow  of  strictest  purity. 
To  seek  in  marriage  that  fallacious  bride. 
Unclean,  unchaste. 

Down  reason  then,  at  least  vain  reasonings  dowTi, 
Though  reason  here  aver 
That  moral  verdict  quits  her  of  unclean  : 
Unchaste  was  subsequent — her  stain,  not  hia. 

But  see,  here  comes  thy  reverend  sire 
With  careful  step,  locks  white  as  down, 
Old  Manoah :  advise 
Forthwith  how  thou  oughtst  to  receive  him« 

SAMSON. 

Ay  me !  another  inward  grief  awaked 
With  mention  of  that  name  renews  the  assault. 

MAXOAII. 

Brethren  and  men  of  Dan,  for  such  ye  seem, 
Though  in  this  uncouth  place ;  if  old  respect, 
As  I  suppose,  towards  your  once  gloried  friend, 
My  son  now  captive,  hither  hath  informed 
Your  younger  feet ;  while  mine,  cast  back  with  age. 
Came  lagging  after  ;  say  if  he  be  here. 


860  SAMSON  AQOXISTBS. 

CHORUS. 

As  signal  hoat  in  low  dejected  state, 
As  erst  in  highest,  behold  liim  where  he  lies, 

MANOAH. 

Oh,  miserable  change!  is  this  the  man, 
Tliat  invincible  Samson,  far  renoAvned, 
The  dread  of  Israel's  foes,  who  with  a  strength 
Equivalent  to  angels  walked  their  streets. 
None  offering  fight ;  who  single  combatant 
Duelled  their  armies  ranked  in  proud  array. 
Himself  an  army,  now  unequal  match 
To  save  himself  against  a  coward  armed 
At  one  spear's  length.     Oh,  ever-failing  trust 
In  mortal  strength  !  and  oh,  what  not  in  man 
Dcceivable  and  vain  ?     Nay,  what  thing  good 
Prayed  for,  but  often  proves  our  Avoe,  our  bane? 
I  prayed  for  children,  and  thought  barrenness 
In  Avedlock  a  reproach  ;  I  gained  a  son. 
And  such  a  son  as  all  men  hailed  me  happy ; 
Who  would  be  now  a  father  in  ray  stead '? 
Oh,  wherefore  did  God  grant  me  my  request, 
And,  as  a  blessing,  with  such  pomp  adorned  ? 
Why  are  his  gifts  desirable,  to  tempt 
Our  earnest  prayers,  then  given  with  solemn  hand 
As  graces,  draw  a  scorpion's  tail  behind? 
For  this  did  the  angel  twice  descend  ?  for  this 
Ordained  thy  nurture  holy,  as  of  a  j^lant 
Select,  and  sacred,  glorious  for  a  while, 
The  miracle  of  men  ;  then  in  an  hour 
Ensnared,  assulted,  overcome,  led  bound, 
Thy  foes'  derision,  captive,  poor,  and  blind, 
Into  a  dungeon  thrust,  to  work  with  slaves  ? 
Alas  !  methinks  whom  God  hath  chosen  once 
To  worthiest  deeds,  if  he  through  frailty  err, 
He  should  not  so  o'erwhelm,  and  as  a  thrall 
Subject  him  to  so  foul  indignities, 
Be  it  but  for  honour's  sake  of  former  deeds. 

SAMSON. 

Appoint  not  heavenly  disposition,  father ; 
Nothing  of  all  these  evils  hath  befallen  rae 


8AMSON     AG0NISTE3.  361 

But  justl}' ;  I  myself  have  brought  them  on, 

Sole  author  I,  sole  cause :  if  aught  seem  vile, 

As  vile  hath  been  my  foil}',  who  have  profaned 

The  myster}-  of  God  given  me  under  pledge 

Of  vow,  and  have  betrayed  it  to  a  woman, 

A  Canaanite,  m}'  faithless  enem}'. 

This  well  I  knew,  nor  was  at  all  surprised, 

But  warned  b}-  oft  experience  :  did  not  she 

Of  Timna  first  betray  me,  and  reveal 

The  secret  wrested  from  me  in  her  height 

Of  nuptial  love  professed,  carr3ing  it  straight 

To  them  who  had  corrupted  her,  my  spies. 

And  rivals?     In  this  other  was  there  found 

More  faith,  who  also  in  her  prime  of  love, 

Spousal  embraces,  vitiated  with  gold. 

Though  offered  only,  b}'  the  scent  conceived 

Her  spurious  first-born,  treason  against  me? 

Thrice  she  assayed  with  flattering  prayers  and  sighs, 

And  amorous  reproaches,  to  win  from  me 

My  capital  secret,  in  what  part  m}'  strengtli 

La}'  stored,  in  what  y)art  summed,  that  she  might  know ; 

Thrice  I  deluded  her,  and  turned  to  sport 

Her  importunity,  each  time  perceiving 

How  openly,  and  with  wliat  impudence 

She  purposed  to  betray  me,  and  (which  was  worse 

Than  undissembled  hate)  with  what  contempt 

She  sought  to  make  me  traitor  to  myself; 

Yet  tlie  fourth  time,  when  mustering  all  hci-  wiles, 

With  blandished  ])arleys,  feminine  assaults, 

Tongue-batteries,  she  surceased  not  day  nor  night 

To  storm  me  over-watched,  and  wearied  out, 

At  times  when  men  seek  most  repose  and  rest, 

I  yielded,  and  unlocked  her  all  my  heart, 

AVho  with  a  gi-ain  of  manhood  well  resolved 

Might  easily  have  shook  off  all  her  snares : 

But  foul  effeminacy  held  me  yoked 

Her  bond-slave  ;  oh,  indignity  !  oh,  blot 

To  honour  and  religion  !  servile  mind 

Rewarded  well  witli  servile  punishment  I 


1 

362  SAMSOK    AGONISTKS. 

The  base  degree  to  ■vrhicli  I  now  am  fallen, 
These  rags,  tliis  grinding,  is  not  yet  so  base 
As  was  my  former  servitude,  ignoble, 
Unmanly,  ignominious,  infamous, 
True  slavery,  and  that  blindness  worse  than  this. 
That  saw  not  how  degenerately  I  served. 

MAXOAU. 

I  cannot  praise  thy  marriage  choices,  son  ; 
Rather  approved  them  not ;  but  tliou  didst  plead 
Divine  impulsion  prompting  how  thou  might'st 
Find  some  occasion  to  infest  our  foes. 
I  state  not  that ;  this  I  am  sure,  our  foes 
Foimd  soon  occasion  thereby  to  make  thee 
Their  captive,  and  their  triumj^h  ;  thou  the  sooner 
Temptation  found'st,  or  over-potent  charms 
To  violate  the  sacred  trust  of  silence 
Deposited  within  thee ;  which,  to  have  kept 
Tacit,  was   in  thy  power :  true,  and  thou  bear'st 
Enough,  and  more,  tlie  burden  of  that  fault ; 
Bitterly  hast  thou  paid,  and  still  art  paying 
That  rigid  score.     A  worse  thing  yet  remains; 
This  day  the  Philistines  a  popular  feast 
Ilere  celebrate  in  Gaza ;  and  proclaim 
Great  pomp,  and  sacrifice,  and  praises  loud 
To  Dagon,  as  their  god  who  hath  delivered 
Thee,  Samson,  bound  and  blind  into  their  hands, 
Them  out  of  thine,  who  slew'st  them  many  a  slaio. 
So  Dagon  shall  be  magnified,  and  God, 
Besides  whom  is  no  God,  compared  with  idols, 
Disglorified,  blasphemed,  and  had  in  scorn 
By  the  idolatrous  rout  amidst  their  wine ; 
Which  to  have  come  to  pass  by  means  of  thee, 
Samson,  of  all  thy  sufferings  think  the  heaviest. 
Of  all  reproach  the  most  with  shame  that  ever 
Could  have  befallen  thee  and  thy  father's  house. 

SAMSOX. 

Father,  I  do  acknowledge  and  confess 
That  I  this  honour,  I  this  pomp  have  brought 
To  Dagon,  and  advanced  his  praises  high 
Among  the  heaihen  round ;  to  God  have  brought 


SAMSON    AG0NI8TES.  868 

Dishonour,  obloquy,  and  oped  the  mouths 
Of  idolists  and  atheists ;  have  brought  scandal 
To  Israel,  diffidence  of  God,  and  doubt 
In  feeble  hearts,  propense  enough  before 
To  waver,  or  fall  off  and  join  with  idols ; 
Which  is  my  chief  afHiction,  shame,  and  sorrow, 
The  anguish  of  my  soul,  that  suffers  not 
Mine  eye  to  harbour  sleep,  or  thoughts  to  rest. 
This  only  hope  relieves  me,  that  the  strife 
With  me  hath  end  ;  all  the  contest  is  now 
'Twixt  God  and  Dagon ;  Dagon  hath  presumed, 
Me  overthrown,  to  enter  lists  with  God, 
His  deity  comparing  and  preferring 
Before  the  God  of  Abraham.     He,  be  sure, 
Will  not  connive,  or  linger,  thus  provoked, 
But  will  arise  and  his  great  name  assert : 
Dagon  must  stoop,  and  shall  ere  long  receive 
Such  a  discomfit,  as  shall  quite  despoil  him 
Of  all  these  boasted  trophies  won  on  me, 
And  with  confusion  blank  his  worshippers. 

MANOAH. 

With  cause  this  hope  relieves  thee,  and  these  words 
I  as  a  prophecy  receive ;  for  God, 
Nothing  more  certain,  will  not  long  defer 
I'o  vindicate  the  glory  of  his  name 
Against  all  competition,  nor  will  long 
Endure  it  doubtful  whether  God  be  Lord, 
Or  Dagon.     But  for  thee  what  shall  be  done? 
Thou  must  pot  in  the  mean  while  here  forgot 
Lie  in  this  miserable  loathsome  plight, 
Neglected.     I  already  have  made  way 
To  some  Philistian  lords,  with  whom  to  treat 
About  thy  ransom  :  well  they  may  by  this 
Have  satisfied  their  utmost  of  revenge 
By  pains  and  slaveries,  Avorse  than  death,  inflicted 
On  thee,  who  now  no  more  canst  do  them  harm. 

SAMSON. 

Spare  that  proposal,  father,  spare  the  trouble 
Of  that  solicitation  ;  let  me  here, 
As  I  deserve,  pay  on  my  punishment ; 


364  SAMSON    AGONTSTKS. 

And  expiate,  if  possible,  my  crime, 
Shameful  garrulity.     To  have  revealed 
Secrets  of  men,  the  secrets  of  a  friend, 
How  heinous  had  the  fact  been,  how  desen'ing 
Contempt  and  scorn  of  all,  to  be  excluded 
All  friendshi]),  and  avoided  as  a  blab, 
The  mark  of  fool  set  on  his  front !     But  I 
God's  counsel  have  not  kept,  his  holy  secret 
Presumptuously  have  ])ublislied,  impiously, 
Weakly  at  least,  and  shamefully  ;  a  sin 
That  Gentiles  in  their  parables  condemn 
To  their  abyss  and  horrid  pains  coniined. 

MAXOAII. 

Be  penitent  and  for  thy  fault  contrite, 
But  act  not  in  thy  own  affliction,  son  ; 
Kepcnt  the  sin,  but  if  the  punishment 
Thou  canst  avoid,  self-preservation  bids; 
Or  the  execution  leave  to  high  disposal, 
And  let  another  hand,  not  thine,  exact 
Thy  penal  forfeit  from  thyself  ;  perhaps 
God  will  relent,  and  quit  thee  all  his  debt; 
Who  ever  more  apjiroves  and  more  accepts 
(Best  pleased  with  humble  and  filial  submission) 
Him  who  im]")loring  mercy  sues  for  life, 
Than  who  self-rigorous  chooses  death  as  due; 
Which  argues  over-just,  and  self-disjileased 
For  self-offence,  more  than  for  God  offended. 
Reject  not  then  what  offered  means  ;  who  knows 
But  God  hath  set  before  us,  to  return  thee        • 
Home  to  thy  country  and  his  sacred  house. 
Where  thou  mayst  bring  thy  offerings,  to  avert, 
His  further  ire,  with  prayers  and  vows  renewed  ? 

SAMSON. 

His  pardon  I  implore  ;  but  as  for  life, 
To  what  end  should  I  seek  it?  when  in  strength 
All  mortals  I  excelled,  and  great  in  liopes 
With  youthful  courage  and  magnanimous  thoughts 
Of  birth  from  Heaven  foretold  and  high  ex])l(>itR, 
Full  of  divine  instinct,  after  some  j^roof 
Of  acts  indeed  heroic,  far  beyond 


SASiSOV    AC;OXI8TK8.  365 

The  sons  of  Anak,  famous  now  and  blazed, 
Feark'ss  of  danger,  like  a  petty  god 
I  walked  about  admired  of  all,  and  dreaded 
On  hostile  ground,  none  daring  my  affront. 
Then  swollen  with  pride  into  the  snare  I  fell 
Of  fair  fallacious  looks,  venereal  trj^ns, 
Softened  with  pleasure  and  voluptuous  life; 
At  length  to  lay  my  head  and  hallowed  pledge 
Of  all  my  strength  in  the  lascivious  lap 
Of  a  deceitful  concubine,  who  shore  me 
Like  a  tame  Avether,  all  my  precious  fleece, 
Then  turned  me  out  ridiculous,  despoiled. 
Shaven,  and  disarmed  among  mine  enemies. 

CHOEUS. 

Desire  of  wine  and  all  delicious  drinks. 
Which  many  a  famous  warrior  overturns. 
Thou  couldst  repress,  nor  did  the  dancing  ruby 
S])ai-kling,  out-poured,  the  flavour,  or  tlie  smell. 
Or  taste  tliat  cheers  the  heart  of  gods  and  men, 
Allure  thee  from  the  cool  crystalline  stream. 

SAMSOX. 

Wherever  fountain  or  fresh  current  flowed 
Against  the  eastern  ray,  translucent,  pure, 
With  touch  ethereal  of  Heaven's  fiery  rod, 
I  drank,  from  the  clear  milky  juice  allaying 
Thirst,  and  refreshed  :  nor  envied  them  the  grape 
Whose  heads  that  turbulent  liquor  fills  with  furaea. 

CHORUS. 

Oh  !  madness,  to  think  use  of  strongest  wines 
And  strongest  drinks  our  chief  support  of  health. 
When  God  with  these  forbidden  made  choice  to  rear 
His  mighty  champion,  strong  above  compare, 
Whose  drink  was  only  from  the  liquid  brook.  • 

SAMSON. 

But  what  availed  this  temperance,  not  complete 
Against  another  object  more  enticing? 
What  boots  it  at  one  gate  to  make  defence. 
And  at  another  to  let  in  the  foe. 
Effeminately  vanquished  ?  by  which  means, 
Now  blind,  disheartened,  shamed,  dishonoured,  queUed, 


8GG  SAMSON    AG0XT8TE8. 

To  what  can  I  be  useful,  wherein  serve 

My  nation,  and  the  work  from  Heaven  imposed, 

But  to  sit  idle  on  the  household  hearth, 

A  burdenous  drone  ;  to  visitants  a  gaze, 
;i     Or  pitied  object,  these  redundant  locks 
^.      Robustious  to  no  purfjpse  clustering  down, 
-j     Vain  monument  of  strength ;  till  length  of  years 
j     And  sedentary  numbness  craze  my  limbs 

To  a  contemptible  old  age  obscure  ? 

Here  rather  let  me  drudge  and  earn  my  bread, 
j     Till  vermin  or  the  draff  of  servile  food 
j     Consume  me,  and  oft-invocated  death 
'!,     Hasten  the  welcome  end  of  all  my  pains. 

]  MAXOAII. 

I         Wilt  thou  then  serve  the  Philistines  with  that  gift 
s     Which  was  expressly  given  thee  to  annoy  them  ? 
;!     Better  at  home  lie  bed-rid,  not  only  idle, 
I     Inglorious,  unemployed,  with  age  outworn. 
I     But  God,  who  caused  a  fountain  at  thy  prayer 

From  the  dry  ground  to  spring,  thy  thirst  to  allay 

After  the  brunt  of  battle,  can  as  easy 

Cause  light  again  within  thy  eyes  to  spring, 

Wherewith  to  serve  him  better  than  thou  hast ; 

And  I  persuade  me  so ;  why  else  this  strength 

Miraculous  yet  remaining  in  those  locks  ? 

His  might  continues  in  thee  not  for  nought. 

Nor  shall  his  wondrous  gifts  be  frustrate  thus. 

SAMSON. 

All  otherwise  to  me  my  thoughts  portend. 
That  these  dark  orbs  no  more  shall  treat  with  light,  f 

Nor  the  other  light  of  life  continue  long, 
But  yield  to  double  darkness  nigh  at  hand: 
So  much  I  feel  my  genial  spirits  droop, 
]\Iy  hopes  all  flat,  nature  Avithin  me  seems 
In  all  her  functions  weary  of  herself. 
My  race  of  glory  run,  and  race  of  shame, 
And  I  shall  shortly  be  with  them  that  rest. 

MANOAH. 

Believe  not  these  suggestions,  which  proceed 
From  anguish  of  the  mind  and  humours  black, 


SAMSON"   AG«NlftTK8.  807 

That  mingle  with  thy  fancy.     I,  however, 
Must  not  omit  a  father's  timely  care 
To  prosecute  the  means  of  thy  deliverance 
By  ransom,  or  how  else  :  meanwhile  be  calm, 
And  healing  words  from  these  thy  friends  admit, 

SAMSOX. 

Oh,  that  torment  should  not  be  confined 
To  the  body's  wounds  and  sores, 
With  maladies  innumerable 
In  heart,  head,  breast,  and  reins ; 
But  must  secret  passage  find 
To  the  inmost  mind, 
There  exercise  all  his  fierce  accidents, 
And  on  her  purest  sj>irits  prey. 
As  on  entrails,  joints  and  limbs. 
With  answerable  ])aius,  but  more  intense, 
Though  void  of  corporal  sense  ! 

My  griefs  not  only  pain  me 
As  a  lingering  disease, 
But,  finding  no  redress,  ferment  and  rage, 
Nor  less  than  wounds  immedicable 
Rankle,  and  fester,  and  gangrene, 
To  black  mortification. 

Thoughts  my  tormentors  armed  with  deadly  stmgs 
Mangle  my  apprehensive  tenderest  jDarts, 
Exasperate,  exulcerate,  and  raise 
Dire  inflammation,  which  no  cooling  herb 
Or  medicinal  liquor  can  assuage. 
Nor  brcatli  of  vernal  air  from  snowy  Alp. 
Slco])  hath  forsook  and  given  me  o'er 
To  deatli's  benumbing  opium  as  my  only  cure: 
These  faintings,  swoouiiigs  of  despair, 
And  sense  of  Heaven's  desertion. 

I  was  his  nurseling  once,  and  choice  delight; 
His  destined  from  the  womb. 
Promised  by  heavenly  message  twice  descending. 
Under  his  special  eye 
Abstemious  I  grew  up  and  thrived  amain ; 
He  led  me  on  to  mightiest  deeds 
Above  the  nerve  of  mortal  arm 


368  BAMSON    AG0NISTE8. 

Against  the  uncircumcisecl,  our  enemies ; 
But  now  hath  cast  nic  off  as  never  known, 
And  to  those  cruel  enemies, 
Whom  I  by  his  ni»pointment  had  provoked, 
Left  me  all  hel])less  v>dth  the  irreparable  loss 
Of  sight,  reserved  alive  to  be  repeated 
The  subject  of  their  cruelty  or  scorn. 
Nor  am  I  in  the  list  of  them  that  hope ; 
Hopeless  are  all  my  evils,  all  remediless; 
This  one  prayer  yet  remains,  might  I  be  heard. 
No  long  j)etition,  speedy  death, 
The  close  of  ail  my  miseries,  and  tlie  balm. 

cnoRus. 

Many  are  the  sayings  of  the  wise 
In  ancient  and  in  modern  books  enrolled, 
Extolling  patience  as  the  truest  fortitude; 
And  to  the  bearing  well  of  all  calamities, 
All  chances  incident  to  man's  frail  life, 
Consolatories  writ 

With  studied  argument,  and  much  persuasion  sought 
Lenient  of  grief  and  anxious  thought : 
But  with  the  afflicted  in  his  pangs  their  sound 
Little  prevails,  or  rather  seems  a  tune 
Harsh,  and  of  dissonant  mood  from  his  complaint; 
Unless  lie  feel  within 
Some  source  of  consolation  from  above. 
Secret  refreshings,  that  repair  his  strength, 
And  fainting  spirits  uphold. 

God  of  our  fathers  !  what  is  man. 
That  thou  towards  him  with  hand  so  various. 
Or  might  I  say  contrarious, 

Temperest  thy  providence  through  his  short  course, 
Not  evenly,  as  thou  rul'st 

The  angelic  orders  and  inferior  creatures  mute. 
Irrational  and  brute. 

Nor  do  I  name  of  men  the  common  rout, 
That  wandering  loose  about 
Grow  up  and  perish,  as  the  summer  fly, 
Heads  without  name  no  more  remembered. 
But  such  as  thou  hast  solemnly  elected, 


'  But  who  is  this  ?    what  thing  of  sea  or  land  ? 
Female  of  sex  it  seems, 
That  so  bedeck'd,  ornate,  and  gay. 
Conies  this  way  sailing 
Like  a  stately  ship  ?  " 


8AMSOK    AOONISTBa.  860 

With  gifts  and  graces  eniiuently  adornetl, 

To  some  great  work,  thy  glory, 

And  jieople's  safety,  Avhich  in  part  they  effect: 

Yet  toward  these  thus  dignified,  thou  oft, 

Amidst  their  heiglit  of  noon, 

Cliangest  thy  countenance,  and  thy  hand  with  no  regard 

Of  highest  favours  past 

From  thee  on  them,  or  them  to  thee  of  service. 

Nor  only  dost  degrade  them,  or  remit 
To  life  o])scured,  which  were  a  fair  dismission. 
But  throw'st  them  lower  than  thou  didst  exalt  thorn  high. 
Unseemly  falls  in  human  eye. 
Too  grievous  for  the  trespass  or  omission  ; 
Oft  leav'st  them  to  the  hostile  sword 
Of  heathen  and  profane,  their  carcases 
To  dogs  and  fowls  a  prey,  or  else  captived  ; 
Or  to  the  unjust  tribunals,  under  change  of  times, 
And  condemnation  of  the  ungrateful  multitude. 
If  these  they  'scape,  perhaps  in  poverty 
With  sickness  and  disease  thou  bow'st  them  down, 
Painful  diseases  and  deformed, 
In  crude  old  age ; 

Though  not  disordinate,  yet  causeless  suffering 
The  punishment  of  dissolute  days :  in  fine, 
Just  or  unjust  alike  seem  miserable, 
For  oft  alike  both  come  to  evil  end. 

So  deal  not  with  this  once  thy  glorious  champion, 
The  image  of  thy  strength,  and  mighty  minister. 
"What  do  I  beg?     How  hast  thou  dealt  already? 
Behold  him  in  this  state  calamitous,  and  turn 
His  labours,  for  thou  canst,  to  peaceful  end. 

But  who  is  this  ?  Avhat  thing  of  sea  or  land  ? 
Female  of  sex  it  seems, 
That  so  bedecked,  ornate,  and  gay, 
Comes  this  Avay  sailing 
Like  a  stately  ship 
Of  Tarsus,  bound  for  the  isles 
Of  Javan  or  Gadirc, 

With  all  her  bravery  on,  and  tackle  trim, 
Sails  filled,  and  streamers  waving, 

24 


870  SAMSON    AGON18TES. 

Courted  by  all  the  winds  that  hold  them  play, 
An  amber  scent  of  odorous  perfume 
Her  harbincjcr,  a  damsel  train  behind ; 
Some  rich  Philistian  matron  she  may  seem, 
And  now,  at  nearer  view,  no  other  certain 
Than  Dalila  thy  wife. 

SAMSON. 

My  wife,  my  traitress !  lot  her  not  come  near  me. 

CIIOPwUS. 

Yet  on  she  moves,  now  stands  and  eyes  thee  fixed. 
About  to  have  spoke,  but  now,  with  head  declined 
Like  a  fair  flower  surcharged  with  dew,  slie  weeps. 
And  words  addressed  seem  into  tears  dissolved» 
Wetting  the  borders  of  her  silken  veil : 
But  now  again  she  makes  address  to  sjieak. 

DALILA. 

With  doubtful  feet  and  wavering  resolution 
I  came,  still  dreading  thy  displeasure,  Samsou, 
Which  to  have  merited,  without  excuse, 
I  cannot  but  acknowledge  ;  yet  if  tears 
May  expiate  (though  the  fact  more  evil  drew 
In  the  perverse  event  than  I  foresaw), 
My  penance  hath  not  slackened,  though  my  pardon 
No  way  assured.     But  conjugal  affection, 
Prevailing  over  fear  and  timorous  doubt, 
Plath  led  me  on,  desirous  to  behold 
Once  more  thy  face,  and  know  of  thy  estate, 
If  aught  in  my  ability  may  serve 
To  ligliten  what  thou  sufferest,  and  appease 
Thy  mind  with  what  amends  is  in  my  power, 
Though  late,  yet  in  some  part  to  recompense 
My  rash  but  more  unfortunate  misdeed. 

SAMSON, 

Out,  out,  hyena  !  these  are  thy  wonted  arts, 
And  arts  of  every  woman  false  like  thee, 
To  break  all  faith,  all  vows,  deceive,  betray. 
Then  as  repentant  to  submit,  beseech. 
And  reconcilement  move  with  feigned  remorse; 
Confess,  and  promise  wonders  in  her  change. 
Not  truly  penitent,  but  chief  to  try 


SAMSON    AGONISTK9.  S7l 

Her  husband,  how  far  urged  his  patience  bears, 

His  virtue  or  weakness  which  way  to  assail : 

Then  with  more  cautious  and  instructed  skill 

Again  transgresses,  and  again  submits; 

That  wisest  and  best  men  full  oft  beguiled, 

With  goodness  i)rincij)lcd  not  to  reject 

The  penitent,  but  ever  to  forgive, 

Are  drawn  to  Avear  out  miserable  days, 

Intangled  with  a  poisonous  bosom  snake, 

If  not  by  quick  desti'uction  soon  cut  off 

As  I  by  thee,  to  ages  an  example. 

DAULA. 

Yet  hear  me,  Samson ;  not  that  I  endeavour 
To  lessen  or  extenuate  my  offence  ; 
But  that  on  the  other  side,  if  it  be  weighed 
By  itself,  with  aggravations  not  surcharged, 
Or  else  with  just  allowance  counterpoised, 
I  may,  if  possible,  thy  pardon  find 
The  easier  towards  me,  or  thy  hatred  less. 
First  granting,  as  I  do,  it  was  a  Aveakness 
In  me,  but  incident  to  all  our  sex, 
Curiosity,  inquisitive,  importune 
Of  secrets,  then,  with  like  infirmity 
To  publish  thfem,  both  common  female  faults : 
Was  it  not  Aveakness  also  to  make  known 
For  importunity,  that  is  for  nought, 
Wherein  consisted  all  thy  strength  and  safety  ? 
To  Avhat  I  did  thou  shoAv'dst  me  first  the  Avay. 
But  I  to  enemies  revealed,  and  should  not : 
Nor  shouklst  thou  have  trusted  that  to  Avoman's  frailty  ; 
Ere  I  to  thee,  thou  to  thyself  Avast  cruel. 
Let  Aveakness  tlien  Avith  weakness  come  to  parle, 
So  near  related,  or  the  same  of  kind. 
Thine  forgive  mine ;  that  men  may  censure  thine 
The  gentler,  if  severely  tliou  exact  not 
More  strength  from  me,  than  in  thyself  was  found. 
And  Avhat  if  love,  whicli  thou  interpret'st  hate, 
The  jealousy  of  love,  powerful  of  sway 
In  human  hearts,  nor  less  in  mine  towards  thee, 
Caused  what  I  did  ?    I  saw  thee  mutable 


372  BAMSON    AGOXI9TE8, 

Of  fancy  ;  feared  lest  one  day  thou  wouktst  leave  me 

As  her  at  Tinina,  sought  by  all  means  therefore 

How  to  endear,  and  hold  thee  to  nic  firmest: 

No  better  way  I  saw  than  by  importuning 

To  learn  thy  secrets,  get  into  my  power 

Thy  key  of  strength  and  safety  :  thou  wilt  say, 

Why  then  revealed  ?     I  was  assured  by  those 

Who  tempted  me,  that  nothing  was  designed 

Against  thee  but  safe  custody,  and  hold  : 

That  made  for  me  ;  I  knew  that  liberty 

Would  draw  thee  forth  to  perilous  enterprises, 

While  I  at  home  sat  full  of  cares  and  fears, 

Wailing  thy  absence  in  my  widowed  bed  ; 

Here  I  should  still  enjoy  thee  day  and  night, 

Mine  and  love's  prisoner,  not  the  Philistines ; 

Whole  to  myself,  unhazarded  abroad. 

Fearless  at  home  of  partners  in  my  love. 

These  reasons  in  love's  law  have  passed  for  good, 

Though  fond  and  reasonless  to  some,  perhaps  ; 

And  love  hath  oft,  well  meaning,  wrought  much  woe, 

Yet  always  pity  or  pardon  hath  obtained. 

Be  not  unlike  all  others,  not  austere 

As  thou  art  strong,  inflexible  as  steel. 

If  thou  in  strength  all  mortals  dost  exceed, 

In  uncompassionate  anger  do  not  so. 

SAMSON". 

How  cunningly  the  sorceress  displays 
Her  own  transgressions,  to  n])braid  me  mine  ! 
That  malice,  not  repentance,  brought  thee  hither. 
By  this  appears  :  I  gave,  thou  say'st,  the  example; 
I  led  the  way ;  bitter  reproach,  but  true  ; 
I  to  myself  Avas  false  ere  thou  to  me  ; 
Such  pardon  therefore  as  I  give  my  folly, 
Take  to  thy  wicked  deed ;  which  when  thou  seest 
Impartial,  self-severe,  inexorable, 
Thou  wilt  renounce  thy  seeking,  and  much  rather 
Confess  it  feigned  :  weakness  is  thy  excuse, 
And  I  believe  it ;  Aveakness  to  resist 
Philistian  gold  :  if  weakness  may  excuse. 
What  murderer,  what  traitor,  parricide. 


SAMSOy    AGONI8TES.  &78 

Incestuous,  sacrilegious,  but  may  j)Iead  it? 

All  wickedness  is  weakness  :  tliat  plea,  therefore. 

With  God  or  man  will  gain  thee  no  remission. 

But  love  constrained  thee;  call  it  furious  rage 

To  satisfy  thy  lust :  love  seeks  to  have  love  : 

My  love  how  couldst  thou  hope,  who  took'st  the  way 

To  raise  in  me  inexi)iable  hate, 

Knowing,  as  needs  I  must,  by  thee  betrayed? 

In  vain  thou  striv'st  to  cover  shame  with  shame, 

Or  by  evasions  thy  crime  uncover'st  more. 

DALILA. 

Since  thou  determin'st  weakness  for  no  j)lea 
In  man  or  woman,  though  to  thy  own  condcraning. 
Hear  what  assaults  I  had,  what  snares  besides. 
What  sieges  girt  me  round,  ere  I  consented  ; 
Which  might  have  awed  the  best  resolved  of  men, 
The  constantest,  to  have  yielded  without  blame. 
It  was  not  gold,  as  to  my  charge  thou  lay'st. 
That  wrought  ^^dth  me  :  thou  know'st  the  magistrates 
And  princes  of  my  country  came  in  person. 
Solicited,  commanded,  threatened,  urged. 
Adjured  by  all  the  bonds  of  civil  duty 
And  of  religion  ;  pressed  how  just  it  was. 
How  honourable,  how  glorious  to  entrap 
A  common  enemy,  who  had  destroyed 
Such  numbers  of  our  nation  :  and  the  priest* 
Was  not  behind,  but  ever  at  my  ear. 
Preaching' how  meritorious  M'itli  tIic  ejods 
It  would  be  to  ensnare  an  irreligious 
Dishonourer  of  Dagon  :  what  had  I 
To  oppose  against  such  powerful  arguments  ? 
Only  my  love  of  thee  held  long  debate, 
And  combated  in  silence  all  these  reasons 
With  hard  contest :  at  length  that  grounded  maxim 
tio  rife  and  celebrated  in  the  mouths 
Of  wisest  men,  that  to  the  public  good 
Private  respects  must  yield,  with  grave  authority 
Took  full  possession  of  ine  and  prevailed  ; 
Virtue,  as  I  thought,  truth,  duty,  so  enjoining. 


874  8AM80N    AQ0NISTE5. 

SAMSON. 

I  thonght  where  all  thy  circling  wiles  would  end, 
In  feigned  religion,  smooth  hyjwcrisy. 
But  had  thy  love,  still  odiously  pretended. 
Been,  as  it  ought,  sincere,  it  would  have  taught  thee 
Far  other  reasonings,  hrought  forth  other  deeds. 
I,  before  all  the  daughters  of  my  tribe, 
And  of  my  nation,  chose  thee  from  among 
My  enemies,  loved  thee,  as  too  well  thou  knew'st. 
Too  well,  unbosomed  all  my  secrets  to  thee. 
Not  out  of  levity,  but  overpowered 
By  thy  request,  who  could  deny  thee  nothing; 
Yet  now  am  judged  an  enemy.     Why  then 
Didst  thou  at  first  receive  me  for  thy  husband, 
Then,  as  since  then,  thy  country's  foe  professed? 
Being  once  a  wife,  for  me  thou  wast  to  leave 
Parents  and  country ;  nor  Avas  I  their  subject, 
Nor  under  their  protection,  but  ray  own, 
Thou  mine,  not  theirs:  if  aught  against  my  life 
Thy  country  sought  ot  thee,  it  sought  unjustly, 
Against  the  law  of  nature,  law  of  nations, 
No  more  thy  country,  but  an  impious  crew 
Of  men  conspiring  to  uphold  their  state 
By  worse  than  hostile  deeds,  violating  the  ends 
For  which  our  country  is  a  name  so  dear ; 
Not  therefore  to  be  obeyed.     But  zeal  moved  thee; 
To  please  thy  gods  thou  didst  it:  gods  unable 
To  acquit  themselves,  and  prosecute  their  foes 
But  by  ungodly  deeds,  the  contradiction 
Of  their  own  deity,  gods  cannot  be  : 
Less  therefore  to  be  pleased,  obeyed,  or  feared. 
These  false  pretexts  and  varnislicd  colours  failing, 
Bare  in  thy  guilt  how  foul  must  thou  appear  I 

DALILA. 

In  argument  with  men  a  woman  ever 
Goes  by  the  worse,  whatever  be  her  cause. 

SAMSON. 

For  want  of  words,  no  doubt,  or  lack  of  breath ; 
Witness  when  I  was  worried  with  thy  peals. 


BAMSOy    AGONISTKS. 


876 


DALILA. 

I  was  a  fool,  too  rash,  and  quite  mistaken 
In  what  I  tlionght  would  have  succeeded  best. 
Let  me  obtain  forgiveness  of  thee,  Samson  ; 
Afford  me  place  to  show  what  recompense 
Towards  thee  I  intend  for  what  I  have  misdone, 
Misguided  ;  only  what  remains  past  cure 
Bear  not  too  sensibly,  nor  still  insist 
To  afflict  thyself  in  vain  :  though  sight  be  lost, 
Life  yet  hath  many  solaces,  enjoyed 
Where  other  senses  want  not  their  delights 
At  home  in  leisure  and  domestic  ease, 
Exemjjt  from  many  a  care  and  chance  to  which 
Eyesight  exposes  daily  men  abroad, 
I  to  the  lords  will  intercede,  not,  doubting 
Their  favourable  ear,  that  I  may  fetch  thee 
From  forth  this  loathsome  ])rison-house,  to  abide 
With  me,  Avhere  my  redoubled  love  and  care 
With  nursing  diligence,  to  me  glad  office, 
May  ever  tend  about  thee  to  old  age 
With  all  things  grateful  cheered,  and  so  supplied, 
That  what  by  me  thou  hast  lost  thou  least  shalt  miss. 

SAMSON. 

No,  no,  of  my  condition  take  no  care  ; 
It  fits  not ;  thou  and  I  long  since  are  twain  ; 
Nor  think  me  so  unAvary  or  accursed. 
To  bring  ray  feet  again  into  the  snare 
Where  once  I  have  been  caught ;  I  know  thy  trains 
Though  dearly  to  my  cost,  thy  gins,  and  toils; 
Thy  fair  enchanted  cup  and  warbling  charms 
No  more  on  me  have  ])ower ;  their  force  is  nulled. 
So  much  of  adder's  Avisdom  I  have  learned 
To  fence  my  ear  against  thy  sorceries. 
If  in  my  flower  of  youth  and  strength,  when  all  men 
Loved,  honoured,  feared  me,  thou  alone  couldst  hate  me 
Thy  husband,  slight  me,  sell  me,  and  forego  me, 
How  wouldst  thou  use  me  now,  blind,  and  thereby 
Deceivable  in  most  things  as  a  child 
Helpless,  thence  easily  contemned,  and  scorned, 
And  last  neglected  I     How  wouldst  thou  insult, 


37Q  SAMSOS    AG0NISTB9. 

When  T  must  live  uxorious  to  thy  will 

In  perfect  thraldom;  how  again  betray  me, 

Bearing  my  words  and  doings  to  the  lords 

To  gloss  upon,  and,  censunng,  frown  or  smile? 

This  jail  I  count  the  house  of  liberty 

To  tliine,  whose  doors  ray  feet  shall  never  enter. 

DALILA, 

Let  me  approacli  at  least,  and  touch  thy  hand. 

SAMSOM". 

Not  for  thy  life,  lest  fierce  remembraned  wake 
My  sudden  rage  to  tear  thee  joint  by  joint. 
At  distance  I  forgive  thee,  go  with  that; 
Bewail  thy  falsehood,  and  the  pious  works 
It  hath  brought  forth  to  make  tliee  memorable 
Among  illustrious  Avomen,  faithful  Avives; 
Cherish  thy  hastened  widowhood  with  the  gold 
Of  matrimonial  treason  :  so  farewell. 

DALILA. 

I  see  tliou  art  implacable,  more  deaf 
To  prayers  than  winds  and  seas  ;  yet  winds  to  seas 
Are  reconciled  at  length,  and  sea  to  shore  : 
Thy  anger,  unappeasable,  still  rages, 
Eternal  tempest  never  to  be  calmed. 
Why  do  I  humble  thus  myself,  and,  suing 
For  peace,  reap  nothing  but  repulse  and  hate? 
Bid  go  with  evil  omen,  and  the  brand 
Of  infamy  upon  my  name  denounced  ? 
To  mix  with  tliy  concernments  I  desist 
Henceforth,  nor  too  much  disapprove  my  own. 
Fame,  if  not  double-faced,  is  double-mouthed, 
And  with  conti-ai-y  blast  proclaims  most  deeds; 
On  both  his  wings,  one  black,  the  other  white, 
Bears  greatest  names  in  his  wild  airy  flight. 
My  name  perhaps  among  the  circumcised 
In  Dan,  in  .Tudah,  and  the  bordering  tribes, 
To  all  ]iosterity  may  stand  defamed, 
With  malediction  mentioned,  and  the  blot 
Of  falsehood  most  unconjugal  traduced. 
But  in  my  country  where  I  most  desire 
(In  Ecron,  Gaza,  Asdod,  and  in  Gath), 


SAMSON    AGONISTE8.  877 

I  shall  be  named  araonix  the  famousest 
Of  women,  sung  at  solemn  festivals, 
Living  and  dead  recorded,  who,  to  save 
Iler  country  from  a  fierce  destroyer,  chose 
Abo^■e  the  faith  of  wedlock  bands  ;  my  tomb 
With  odours  visited  and  annual  flowers  ; 
Not  less  renowned  than  in  JMount  Ephraim 
Jacl,  who  with  inhospitable  guile 
Smote  Sisera  sleeping  througli  the  temples  nailed. 
Nor  shall  I  count  it  heinous  to  enjoy 
The  public  marks  of  honour  and  reward 
Conferred  upon  me,  for  the  ])iety 
Which  to  my  country  I  was  judged,  to  have  shown. 
At  this  Avho  ever  envies  or  repines, 
I  leave  him  to  his  lot,  and  like  my  own. 

cnoRUS. 
She's  gone,  a  manifest  serpent  by  her  sting 
Discovered  in  the  end,  till  now  concealed. 

SAAISON. 

So  let  her  go ;  God  sent  her  to  debase  me, 
And  aggravate  my  folly,  who  committed 
To  such  a  viper  his  most  sacred  trust 
Of  secresy,  my  safety,  and  my  life. 

CHORUS. 

Yet  beauty,  though  injurious,  hath  strange  power, 
After  offence  returning,  to  regain 
Love  once  possessed,  nor  can  be  easily 
Re]iulsed  without  much  inward  passion  felt, 
And  secret  sting  of  amorous  remorse. 

SAMSON. 

Love-quarrels  oft  in  pleasing  concord  end, 
Not  wedlock-treachery  endangering  life. 

CHOUUS. 

It  is  not  virtue,  wisdom,  valour,  wit, 
Strength,  comeliness  of  shape,  or  amplest  merit, 
That  M'oman's  love  can  win  or  long  inherit ; 
But  what  it  is,  hard  is  to  say, 
Harder  to  hit 

(Which  way  soever  men  refer  it)  ; 
Much  like  thy  riddle,  Samson,  in  one  day 
Or  seven,  though  one  should  musing  sit. 


878  SAMSON    AGONI8TES. 

If  any  of  these,  or' all,  the  Timnian  bride 
Had  not  so  soon  preferred 
Thy  paranyniph,  worthless  to  thee  compared. 
Successor  in  thy  bed, 
Nor  both  so  loosely  disallied 
Tlieir  nuptials,  nor  this  last  so  treacherously 
Had  shorn  the  fatal  harvest  of  thy  head. 
Is  it.  for  that  such  outward  ornament 
Was  lavished  on  their  sex,  that  inward  gifts 
Were  left  for  haste  unfinished,  judgment  scant. 
Capacity  not  raised  to  aj^i^rehend 
Or  value  what  is  best 
In  choice,  but  of  test  to  affect  the  wrong? 
Or  was  too  much  of  self-love  mixed, 
Of  constancy  no  root  infixed. 
That  cither  they  love  nothing,  or  not  long 

Whate'er  it  be,  to  wisest  men  and  best 
Seeming  at  first  all  heavenly  under  virgin  veil. 
Soft,  modest,  meek,  demure. 
Once  joined,  the  contrary  she  proves,  a  thorn 
Intestine,  far  within  defensive  arms 
A  cleaving  mischief,  in  his  way  to  virtue 
Adverse  and  turbulent,  or  by  her  charms 
Draws  him  awry  enslaved 
With  dotage,  and  his  sense  depraved 
To  folly  and  shameful  deeds  which  ruin  ends. 
Wliat  ])ilot  so  expert  but  needs  must  wreck 
Embarked  with  such  a  steers-mate  at  the  helm? 

Favoured  of  Heaven  wlio  finds 
One  virtiious  rait-ly  found, 
Tliat  in  domestic  good  combines; 
Happy  that  house  !  his  way  to  ])eace  iS  smooth: 
But  virtue,  which  breaks  through  all  opposition, 
And  all  temptation  can  remove. 
Most  shines,  and  mo-t  is  acceptable  above. 

Tlierefore  God's  universal  law 
Gave  to  the  man  despotic  power 
Over  his  female  in  due  awe, 
Nor  from  that  right  to  part  an  hour, 
Smile  she  or  lour ; 
So  shall  he  least  confusion  draw 


SAMSON    AG0XI3TKS.  879 

On  his  whole  life,  not  swayed 

By  female  usurpation,  or  dismayed. 

But  had  we  best  retire  ?     I  see  a  storm. 

SAM  SOX. 

Fair  days  have  oft  contracted  wind  and  rain, 

CHORUS. 

But  this  another  kind  of  tempest  brings. 

SAMSOX. 

Be  less  abstruse  :  my  riddling  days  are  past. 

cnoKus. 

Look  now  for  no  enchanting  voice,  nor  fear 
The  bait  of  honeyed  words:  a  rougher  tongue 
Draws  hithcrward;  I  know  him  by  his  stride  ; 
The  gaint  llaraplia  of  Gath;  his  look 
Haughty  as  is  his  jnle  high-built  and  proud. 
Comes  he  in  peace?    What  wind  hath  blown  him  hither 
I  less  conjecture  than  Avhen  first  I  saw 
The  sumptuous  Dalila  floating  this  way: 
His  habit  carries  peace,  his  brown  defiance. 

SAMSON. 

Or  peace  or  not,  alike  to  me  he  comes. 

CHORUS, 

His  fraught  we  soon  shall  know  :  he  now  arrives. 

IIAJIAPTIA, 

I  come  not,  Samson,  to  condole  thy  chance, 
As  those  perhaps,  yet  wish  it  had  not  been. 
Though  for  no  friendly  intent,     I  am  of  Gath; 
Men  call  me  Hara])ha,  of  stock  renowned 
As  Og  or  Anak,  and  (he  Emiins  old 
That  Kiriathaim  held  :  thoii  knoAv'st  me  now, 
If  thou  at  all  art  known.     Much  I  have  hoard 
Of  thy  prodigious  miglit,  and  feats  performed 
Incredible  to  me;  in  this  displeased. 
That  I  was  never  present  on  the  place 
Of  those  encounters,  where  we  might  have  tried 
Each  other's  force  in  camp  or  listed  field ; 
And  now  am  come  to  see  of  whom  such  noise 
Hath  walked  about,  and  each  limb  to  survey, 
If  thy  appearance  answer  loud  report. 


380  SAMSON    AGOmSTHS. 

SAMSON". 

The  way  to  know  were  not  to  see  but  taste. 

IIARAPHA. 

Dost  thou  ah'eadv  sinirle  me  ?     I  thoucfht 
Gyves  and. the  mill  liad  tamed  thee.     Oh,  that  fortune 
Had  brought  me  to  tlie  field,  where  thou  art  famed 
To  have  wrought  such  Avonders  with  an  ass's  jaw! 
I  shouhl  liave  forced  thee  soon  with  other  arms, 
Or  left  thy  carcass  where  the  ass  hay  thrown  : 
So  Iiad  tlie  glory  of  prowess  been  recovered 
To  Palestine,  won  by  a  Philistine 
From  tlie  unforeskinned  race,  of  whom  thou  bear'st 
The  highest  name  for  valiant  acts ;  tliat  honour 
Certain  to  have  Avon  by  mortal  duel  from  thee, 
I  lose,  i^revented  by  thy  eyes  put  out. 

SAMSON, 

Boast  not  of  what  thou  wouldst  have  done,  biit  do 
What  then  thou  wouldst ;  thou  seest  it  in  thy  hand. 

nARAPHA. 

To  combat  with  a  blind  man  I  disdain, 
And  thou  hast  need  much  washing  to  be  touched. 

SAMSON. 

Such  usage  as  your  honourable  lords 
Afford  me,  assassinated  and  betrayed, 
Who  durst  not  Avith  their  whole  imited  powers 
In  fight  withstand  me  single  and  unarmed, 
Nor  in  the  house  Avith  chamber  ambushes 
Close-banded  durst  attack  me,  no,  not  sleeping, 
Till  they  had  hired  a  woman  Avith  their  gold, 
Breaking  lier  marriage  faith  to  circumA^ent  me. 
Therefore,  Avitliout  feigned  shifts,  let  be  assigned 
Some  narrow  ]»lace  enclosed,  Avhere  sight  may  give  the, 
Or  rather  flight,  no  great  advantage  on  me  ; 
Then  put  on  all  thy  gorgeous  arms,  thy  helmet 
And  brigandine  of  brass,  thy  broad  hal)ergcon, 
Vant-brass  and  greaves,  and  gauntlet,  add  thy  spear, 
A  Aveaver's  beam,  and  seven-times-folded  shield, 
I  only  Avith  an  oaken  staff  Avill  meet  thee. 
And  raise  such  outcries  on  thy  clattered  iron. 
Which  long  shall  not  withhold  nic  from  thy  head, 


SAMSON    AGONISTES.  381 

That  in  a  little  time  while  breath  remains  thee. 
Thou  oft  shalt  wish  thyself  at  Gath,  to  boast 
Again  in  safety  what  thou  wouldst  have  done 
To  Samson,  but  shalt  never  see  Gath  more. 

HAKAPHA. 

Thou  durst  not  thus  disparage  glorious  arms. 
Which  greatest  heioes  have  in  battle  worn, 
Their  ornament  and  safety,  had  not  spells 
And  black  enchantments,  some  magician's  art. 
Armed  thee,  or  charmed  thee  strong,  which  thou  from 

Heaven 
Feign'dst  at  thy  birth  was  given  thee  in  thy  hair, 
Where  strength  can  least  abide,  though  all  thy  hairs 
Were  bristles,  ranged  like  those  that  ridge  the  back 
Of  chafed  wild  boars,  or  ruffled  porcupines. 

SAMSOX. 

I  know  no  spells,  use  no  forbidden  arts; 
My  trust  is  in  the  living  God,  who  gave  me 
At  my  nativity  this  strength,  diffused 
No  less  through  all  ray  sinews,  joints,  and  bones, 
Than  thine,  while  I  preserved  these  locks  ui.shorn, 
The  pledge  of  my  unviolated  vow. 
For  proof  hereof,  if  Dagon  be  thy  god, 
Go  to  his  temple,  invocate  his  aid 
With  solemnest  devotion,  spread  before  him 
How  highly  it  concerns  his  glory  now 
To  frustrate  and  dissolve  these  magic  spells. 
Which  I  to  be  the  ])Ower  of  Israel's  God 
Avow,  and  cliallenge  Dagon  to  the  test. 
Offering  to  combat  thee  his  champion  bold, 
With  the  utmost  of  his  godhead  seconded  : 
Then  thou  shalt  see,  or  rather  to  thy  sorrow 
Soon  feel,  whose  God  is  strongest,  thine  or  mine. 

HARAPHA. 

Presume  not  on  thy  God,  whate'er  he  be ; 
Thee  he  regards  not,  owns  not,  hath  cut  off 
Quite  from  his  people,  and  delivered  up 
Into  thy  enemies'  hand,  permitted  them 
To  put  out  both  thine  eyes,  and  fettered  send  thee 
Into  the  common  prison,  there  to  orind 
Among  the  slaves  and  asses,  thy  comrades, 


882  SAMSON    AGONISTES. 

As  good  for  nothing  else,  no  better  service 

With  those  thy  boisterous  locks,  no  worthy  match 

For  valor  to  assail,  nor  by  the  sword 

Of  noble  warrior,  so  to  stain  his  honour, 

But  by  the  barber's  razor  best  subdued. 

SAMSOX. 

All  these  indignities,  for  such  they  are 
From  thine,  these  evils  I  deserve  and  more, 
Acknowledge  them  from  God  inflicted  on  me 
Justly,  yet  despair  not  of  his  final  pardon 
Whose  ear  is  ever  open,  and  his  eye 
Gracious  to  re-admit  the  suppliant ; 
In  confidence  whereof  I  once  again 
Defy  thee  to  the  trial  of  mortal  fight, 
By  combat  to  decide  whose  God  is  God, 
Thine  or  whom  I  with  Israel's  sons  adore. 

HARAPHA. 

Fair  honour  that  thou  dost  thy  God,  in  trusting 
He  will  accept  thee  to  defend  his  cause 
A  murderer,  a  revolter,  and  a  robber. 

SAMSON. 

Tongue-doughty  giant,  how  dost  thou  prove  me  these  ? 

HARAPHA. 

Is  not  thy  nation  subject  to  our  lords  ? 
Theii-  magistrates  confessed  it,  when  they  took  thee 
As  a  league-breaker,  and  delivered  bound 
Into  our  hands:  for  hadst  thou  not  committed 
Notorious  murder  on  those  thirty  men 
At  Ascalon,  who  never  did  thee  harm, 
Then,  like  a  robber,  stripp'dst  them  of  their  robes  ? 
The  Philistines,  when  thou  hadst  broke  the  league, 
f    Went  up  with  armed  power  thee  only  seeking, 
To  others  did  no  violence  nor  spoil. 

SAMSON. 

Among  the  dauglitcrs  of  the  Philistines 
I  chose  a  wife,  Avhich  argued  me  no  foe; 
And  in  your  city  held  my  nuptial  feast: 
But  your  ill-meaning  politician  lords, 
Under  pretence  of  bridal  friends  and  guests, 
Appointed  to  await  me  thirty  spies, 


SAMSON    AGONISTES.  388 

Who  threatening  cruel  death  constrained  the  bride 
To  wring  from  me  and  tell  to  them  my  secret, 
That  solved  the  riddle  which  I  had  proposed. 
When  I  perceived  all  set  on  enmity, 
As  on  my  enemies,  wherever  chanced, 
I  used  hostility,  and  took  their  spoil 
To  pay  my  undcrminers  in  their  coin. 
My  nation  was  subjected  to  your  lords  ; 
It  was  the  force  of  conquest ;  force  with  force 
Is  well  ejected  when  the  conquered  can. 
But  I,  a  private  person,  wiaom  my  country 
As  a  league-breaker  gave  up  bound,  presumed 
Single  rebellion,  and  did  hostile  acts. 
I  was  no  private,  but  a  person  raised 
With  strength  sufficient  and  command  from  Heaven 
•  To  free  my  country ;  if  their  servile  minds 
Me  their  deliverer  sent  would  not  receive, 
But  to  their  masters  gave  me  up  for  nought. 
The  un worthier  they  ;  whence  to  this  day  they  serve. 
I  was  to  do  my  part  from  Heaven  assigned, 
And  had  performed  it,  if  my  known  offence 
Had  not  disabled  me,  not  all  your  force : 
These  shifts  refuted,  answer  thy  appellant 
Though  by  his  blindness  maimed  for  high  attempts, 
Who  now  defies  thee  thrice  to  single  fight. 
As  a  petty  enterprise  of  small  enforce. 

HARAPHA, 

With  thee !  a  man  condemned,  a  slave  enrolled, 
Due  by  the  law  to  capital  punishment  ? 
To  fight  with  thee  no  man  of  arms  will  deicn. 

SAMSON. 

Cam'st  thou  for  this,  vain  boaster,  to  survey  me, 
To  descant  on  my  strength,  and  give  thy  verdict  ? 
Come  nearer,  part  not  hence  so  slight  informed  ; 
But  take  good  heed  my  hand  survey  not  thee. 

HARAPHA. 

O  Baal-zebub  !  can  my  ears  unused 
Hear  these  dishonours,  and  not  render  death  ? 

SAMSON. 

No  man  withholds  thee,  not] ling  from  thv  liand 


384  SAMSON    AGONISTE8. 

Fear  I  incurable  ;  bring  up  thy  van, 
My  heels  are  fettered,  but  my  fist  is  free. 

HARAPHA. 

This  insolence  other  kind  of  answer  fits. 

SAMSON. 

Go,  baffled  coward !  lest  I  run  upon  thee, 
Though  in  these  chains,  bulk  without  spirit  vast, 
And  with  one  buffet  lay  thy  structure  low. 
Or  swing  thee  in  the  air,  then  dash  thee  down 
To  the  hazard  of  thy  brains  and  shattered  sides. 

HAKAPIIA. 

By  Astaroth  !  ere  long  thou  shalt  lament 
These  braveries  in  irons  loaden  on  thee. 

CHOKUS. 

His  giantship  is  gone  somewhat  crest-fallen. 
Stalking  with  less  unconscionable  strides, 
And  lower  looks,  but  in  a  sultry  chafe. 

SAMSON. 

I  dread  him  not,  nor  all  his  giant  brood, 
Though  fame  divulge  him  father  of  five  sons, 
All  of  gigantic  size,  Goliah  chief. 

CHORUS. 

He  will  directly  to  the  lords,  I  fear, 
And  with  malicious  counsel  stir  them  up 
Some  way  or  other  yet  further  to  afflict  thee. 

SAMSON. 

He  must  allege  some  cause,  and  offered  fight 
Will  not  dare  mention,  lest  a  question  rise 
Whether  he  durst  accept  the  offer  or  not. 
And  that  he  durst  not  plain  enough  appeared. 
Much  more  affliction  than  already  felt 
They  cannot  well  impose,  nor  I  sustain  ; 
If  they  intend  advantage  of  my  labors, 
The  work  of  many  hands,  which  earns  my  keeping 
With  no  small  profit  daily  to  my  owners. 
But  come  what  will,  my  deadliest  foe  will  prove 
My  speediest  friend,  by  death  to  rid  me  hence : 
The  worst  that  he  can  give,  to  me  the  best. 
Yet  so  it  may  fall  out,  because  their  end 
Is  hate,  not  help  to  me,  it  may  wi'.h  mine 
Draw  their  own  ruin  M'ho  attempt  the  deed. 


BAMSOIi    AGOX18TK8.  885 

CHOKUS. 

Oh,  how  comely  it  is,  and  bow  reviving 
To  the  spirits  of  just  men  long  oppressed! 
When  God  into  the  hands  of  their  deliverer 
Puts  invincible  might 

To  quell  the  mighty  of  the  earth,  the  opjjressor, 
The  brute  and  boisterous  force  of  violent  men 
Hardy  and  industrious  to  support 
Tyrannic  power,  but  raging  to  pursue 
The  righteous  and  all  such  as  honour  truth ; 
He  all  their  ammunition 
And  feats  of  war  defeats 
With  plain  heroic  magnitude  of  mind 
And  celestial  vigour  armed, 
Their  armouries  and  magazines  contemns. 
Renders  them  useless,  while 
With  winged  expedition, 
Swift  as  the  lightning  glance,  he  executes 
His  errand  on  the  wicked,  who,  surprised, 
Lose  their  defence,  distracted  and  amazed. 

But  patience  is  more  oft  the  exercise 
Of  saints,  the  trial  of  their  fortitude, 
Making  them  each  his  own  deliverer, 
And  victor  over  all 
That  tyranny  or  fortune  can  inflict. 
Either  of  these  is  in  thy  lot, 
Samson,  with  might  endued 
Above  the  sons  of  men ;  but  sight  bereaved 
May  chance  to  number  thee  with  those 
Whom  patience  finally  must  crown. 

This  idol's  day  hath  been  to  thee  no  day  of  reatj 
Labouring  thy  mind 
More  than  the  working  day  thy  hands. 
And  yet,  perhaps,  more  trouble  is  behind, 
For  I  descry  this  way 
Some  other  tending,  in  his  hand 
A  sceptre  or  quaint  staff  he  bears, 
Comes  on  amain,  speed  in  his  look. 
By  his  habit  I  discern  him  now 

25 


886  SAMSON    AGONI9TE8; 

A  public  officer,  and  now  at  hand. 
His  message  will  be  short  and  voluble. 

OFFICER. 

Hebrews,  the  prisoner  Samson  here  I  seek. 

CHOKUS. 

His  manacles  remark  him,  there  he  sits. 

OFFICER. 

Samson,  to  thee  our  lords  thus  bid  me  say : 
This  day  to  Dagon  is  a  solemn  feast. 
With  sacrifices,  triumph,  pomp,  and  games ; 
Thy  strength  they  know  surpassing  human  rate, 
And  now  some  public  proof  thereof  require 
To  honour  this  great  feast,  and  great  assembly  ; 
Rise  therefore  with  all  speed,  and  come  along, 
Where  I  will  see  thee  heartened  and  fresh  clad, 
To  appear  as  fits  before  the  illustrious  lords. 

SAMSOX. 

Thou  know'st  I  am  an  Hebrew,  therefore  tell  them. 
Our  law  forbids  at  their  religious  rites 
My  presence  ;  for  that  cause  I  cannot  come. 

OFFICER. 

This  answer,  be  assured,  will  not  content  them. 

SAMSON. 

Have  they  not  sword-players,  and  every  sort 
Of  gymnic  artists,  wrestlers,  riders,  runners. 
Jugglers  and  dancers,  antics,  mummers,  mimics, 
But  they  must  pick  me  out  with  shackles  tired, 
And  over-laboured  at  their  public  mill. 
To  make  them  sport  with  blind  activity  ? 
Do  they  not  seek  occasion  of  new  quarrels 
On  my  refus?'  to  distress  me  more. 
Or  make  a  game  of  my  calamities  ? 
Return  the  Avay  thou  cam'st,  I  will  not  come. 

OFFICER. 

Regard  thyself :  this  will  offend  them  highly, 

SAMSON. 

Myself?  my  conscience  and  internal  peace. 
Can  they  think  me  so  broken,  so  debased 
With  corporal  servitude,  that  my  mind  ever 
Will  condescend  to  such  absurd  commajids? 


SAMSOJf    AG0XISTE8.  387 

Although  their  drudge,  to  be  their  fool  or  jester, 

And  in  my  midst  of  sorrow  and  heart-grief 

To  show  them  feats,  and  play  before  their  god, 

The  worst  of  all  indignities,  yet  on  me 

Joined  with  extreme  contemj)t  ?     I  will  not  come. 

OFFICER. 

My  message  was  imposed  on  me  with  speed, 
Brooks  no  delay  ;  is  this  thy  resolution  ? 

SAMSON. 

So  take  it  with  what  speed  thy  message  needs. 

OFFICER. 

I  am  sorry  what  this  stoutness  will  produce. 

SAMSOX. 

Perhaps  thou  shalt  have  cause  to  sorrow  indeed. 

CHORUS. 

Consider,  Samson  ;  mattei's  now  are  strained 
Up  to  the  heighth,  whether  to  hold  or  break  ; 
He's  gone,  and  who  knows  how  he  may  report 
Thy  words  by  adding  fuel  to  the  flame  ? 
Expect  another  message  more  imperious. 
More  lordly  thundering  than  thou  well  wilt  bear. 

SAMSON. 

Shall  I  abuse  this  consecrated  gift 
Of  strength,  again  returning  with  my  hair 
After  my  great  transgression  ;  so  requite 
Favour  renewed,  and  add  a  greater  sin 
By  prostituting  holy  things  to  idols  ? 
A  Nazarite  in  place  abominable 
Vaunting  my  strength  in  honour  to  their  Dagon  ? 
Besides  how  vile,  contemptible,  ridiculous, 
What  act  more  execrably  unclean,  profane  ? 

CHORUS. 

Yet  with  this  strength  thou  serv'st  the  Philis 
Idolatrous,  uncii'cumcised,  unclean. 

SAMSON. 

Not  in  their  idol-worship,  but  by  labour 
Honest  and  lawful  to  deserve  my  food 
Of  those  who  have  me  in  their  civil  power. 

CHORUS. 

Where  the  heart  joins  not,  outward  acts  defile  not. 


888  8AMSOX    AGONISTfiS. 

SAMSON. 

Where  outward  force  constrains,  tl»e  sentence  holds. 
But  who  constrains  me  to  the  temple  of  Dagon, 
Not  drasfffinf;  ?     The  Philistian  lords  command  : 
Commands  ai*e  no  restraints.     If  I  obey  them, 
I  do  it  freely,  venturing  to  displease 
God  for  the  fear  of  man,  and  man  prefer, 
Set  God  behind;  which  in  his  jealo\isy 
Shall  never,  unrejiented,  find  forgiveness. 
Yet  that  he  may  dispense  with  me  or  thee 
Present  in  temples  at  idolatrous  rites 
For  some  important  cause,  thou  need'st  not  doubt. 

cnoRUS. 

How  thou  wilt  here  come  off  surmounts  my  reach. 

SAMSON. 

Be  of  good  courage,  I  begin  to  feel 
Some  rousing  motions  in  me  which  dispose 
To  son»ething  extraordinary  ray  thoughts. 
I  with  this  messenger  will  go  along, 
Nothing  to  do,  be  sure,  that  may  dishonour 
Our  law,  or  stain  my  voav  of  Nazarite. 
If  there  be  aught  of  presage  in  the  mind, 
This  day  will  be  remarkable  in  my  life 
By  some  great  act,  or  of  my  days  the  last. 

chorus. 

In  time  thou  hast  resolved,  the  man  returns, 

OFFICER. 

Samson,  this  second  messai^e  from  our  lords 
To  thee  I  am  bid  say.     Art  thou  our  slave, 
Our  captive,  at  the  public  mill  our  drudge, 
And  dar'st  thou  at  our  sending  and  command 
Dispute  thy  coming  ?     Come  without  delay  ; 
Or  we  shall  find  such  engines  to  assail 
And  hamper  thee,  as  thou  slialt  come  of  force, 
Though  thou  wert  firmlier  fastened  than  a  rock. 

SAMSON. 

I  could  be  well  content  to  try  their  art. 
Which  to  no  few  of  them  Avould  prove  pernicious. 
Yet  knowing  their  advantages  too  many. 
Because  they  shall  not  trail  me  through  their  streets 


CJAMSO-V    AGO-VXSTKS.  880 

Like  a  wild  beast,  I  am  content  to  go. 
Masters'  commands  come  with  a  power  resistless 
To  such  as  owe  them  absolute  subjection ; 
And  for  a  life  who  will  not  change  his  purpose* 
(So  mutable  are  all  the  ways  of  men) 
Yet  this  be  sure,  in  nothing  to  comply 
Scandalous  or  forbidden  in  our  law. 

OFFICER. 

I  praise  thy  resolution ;  doff  these  links : 
By  this  compliance  thou  wilt  win  the  lords 
To  favpur,  and  perhaps  to  set  thee  free. 

SAMSON. 

Brethren,  farewell ;  your  company  along 
I  will  not  wish,  lest  it  perhaps  offend  them 
To  see  me  girt  with  friends  ;  and  how  the  sight 
Of  me  as  of  a  common  enemy. 
So  dreaded  once,  may  now  exasperate  them 
I  know  not.     Lords  are  lordliest  in  their  wine; 
And  the  well-feasted  priest  then  soonest  fired 
With  zeal,  if  aught  religion  seem  concerned; 
No  less  the  people  on  their  holy-days 
Impetuous,  insolent,  unquenchable  : 
Happen  what  may,  of  me  expect  to  hear 
Nothing  dishonourable,  impure,  unworthy 
Our  God,  our  law,  ray  nation,  or  myself, 
The  last  of  me  or  no  I  cannot  warrant. 

CHORUS. 

Go,  and  the  Holy  One 
Of  Israel  be  thy  guide 

To  what  may  serve  his  glory  best,  and  spread  his  name 
Great  among  the  heathen  round  ; 
Send  thee  the  angel  of  thy  birth,  to  stand 
Fast  by  thy  side,  who  from  thy  father's  field 
Kode  up  in  flames  after  his  message  told 
Of  thy  conception,  and  be  now  a  shield 
Of  fire ;  that  Spirit  that  first  rushed  on  thee 
In  the  camp  of  Dan 
Be  efticacious  in  thee  now  at  need. 
For  never  was  from  Heaven  imparted  * 

Measure  of  strength  so  great  to  mortal  seed. 


390  SAMSON    AGONISTKS. 

As  in  thy  wondrous  actions  hath  been  seen. 
But  wherefore  comes  old  Manoah  in  such  haste 
With  youthful  steps  ?  much  livelier  than  erewhile 
He  seems ;  supposing  here  to  find  his  son, 
Or  of  him  bringing  to  us  some  glad  news  V 

MANOAH. 

Peace  with  you,  brethren ;  my  inducement  hither 
Was  not  at  pi-esent  here  to  find  my  son, 
By  order  of  the  lords  new  ))arted  hence 
To  come  and  play  before  them  at  their  feast. 
I  heard  all  as  I  came,  the  city  rings, 
And  numbers  thither  flock,  I  had  no  will, 
Lest  I  should  see  him  forced  to  things  unseemly. 
But  that  which  moved  my  coming  now,  was  Chiefiy 
To  give  ye  part  with  me  wiiat  hope  I  have 
With  good  success  to  work  his  liberty. 

CHORUS, 

That  hope  would  much  rejoice  us  to  partake 
With  thee  ;  say,  reverend  sire,  wc  thirst  to  hear. 

MANOAH. 

I  I  have  attempted  one  by  one  the  lords 

1        Either  at  home,  or  through  the  high  street  passing, 
I        With  supplication  prone  and  father's  tears, 
To  accept  of  ransom  for  my  son  their  prisoner. 
Some  much  averse  I  found  and  wondrous  harsh, 
Contemptuous,  proud,  set  on  revenge  and  spite ; 
That  part  most  reverenced  Dagon  and  his  priests : 
Others  more  moderate  seeming,  but  their  aim 
Private  reward,  for  Avhich  both  god  and  state 
They  easily  would  set  to  sale ;  a  third 
More  generous  far  and  civil,  who  confessed 
They  had  enough  revenged,  having  reduced 
Their  foe  to  misery  beneath  their  fears, 
The  rest  was  magnanimity  to  remit, 
If  some  convenient  ransom  were  proposed. 
What  noise  or  shout  was  that  ?  it  tore  the  sky. 

CHOKUS. 

Doubtless  the  people  shouting  to  behold 
Their  once  great  dread,  captive  and  blind  before  them, 
Or  at  some  proof  of  strength  before  them  shown. 


'  SAMSON    AQONISTES.  391^ 

MANOAH. 

His  ransom,  if  my  whole  inlieritance 
May  compass  it,  shall  willingly  be  paid 
And  numbered  down  :  much  rather  I  shall  choose 
To  live  the  poorest  in  my  tribe,  than  richest. 
And  he  in  that  calamitous  prison  left. 
No,  I  am  fixed  not  to  ])art  hence  without  him. 
For  his  redemjitiou  all  my  patrimony, 
If  need  be,  I  am  ready  to  forego 
And  quit :  not  wanting  him,  I  shall  want  nothing. 

CHOBUS. 

Fathers  are  wont  to  lay  up  for  their  sons, 
Thou  for  thy  son  art  bent  to  lay  out  all ; 
Sons  wont  to  nurse  their  parents  in  old  age, 
Thou  in  old  age  car'st  how  to  nurse  thy  son, 
Made  older  than  thy  age  through  eyesight  lost, 

MANOAH. 

It  shall  be  my  delight  to  tend  his  eyes. 
And  view  him  sitting  in  the  house,  ennobled 
With  all  those  high  exploits  by  him  achieved, 
And  on  his  shoulders  waving  down  those  locks» 
That  of  a  nation  armed  the  strength  contained  j 
And  I  persuade  me  God  had  not  permitted 
His  strength  again  to  grow  up  with  his  hair 
Garrisoned  round  about  him  like  a  camp 
Of  faithful  soldiery,  were  not  his  purpose 
To  use  him  further  yet  in  some  great  service, 
!Not  to  sit  idle  with  so  great  a  gift 
Useless,  and  thence  ridiculous  about  him. 
And  since  his  strength  with  eyesight  was  not  lost, 
God  will  restore  him  eyesight  to  his  strength. 

CHORUS. 

Thy  hopes  are  not  ill-founded,  nor  seem  vain 
Of  his  delivery,  and  thy  joy  thereon 
Conceived,  agreeable  to  a  father's  love, 
In  both  which  we,  as  next,  participate. 

MANOAH. 

I  know  your  friendly  minds,  and — Oh,  what  noise  I 
Mercy  of  Heaven !  what  hideous  noise  was  that? 
Horribly  loud,  unlike  the  former  shout. 


8W  BAM80N    AQONISTEti. 

CHORUS. 

Noise  call  you  it,  or  universal  groan, 
As  if  the  whole  inhabitation  perished ! 
Blood,  death,  and  deathful  deeds  are  in  that  noise, 
Ruin,  destruction  at  the  utmost  point. 

MANOAH. 

Of  ruin,  indeed,  methought  I  heard  the  noise : 
Oh  !  it  continues  ;  they  have  slain  my  son  ! 

CHORUS. 

Thy  son  is  rather  slaying  them ;  that  outcry 
From  slaughter  of  one  foe  could  not  ascend. 

MANOAH. 

Some  dismal  accident  it  needs  must  be  : 
What  shall  we  do,  stay  here  or  run  and  see  ? 

CHORUS. 

Best  keep  together  here,  lest  running  thither 
We  unawares  run  into  danger's  mouth. 
This  evil  on  the  Philistines  is  fallen  ; 
From  whom  could  else  a  general  cry  be  heard  ? 
The  sufferers  then  will  scarce  molest  us  here, 
From  other  hands  we  need  not  much  to  fear. 
What  if  his  eyesight  (for  to  Israel's  God 
Nothing  is  hard)  by  miracle  restored, 
He  now  be  dealing  dole  among  his  foes. 
And  over  heaps  of  slaughtered  walk  his  way? 

MAXOAH. 

That  were  a  joy  presumptuous  to  be  thought. 

CHORUS. 

Yet  God  hath  wrought  things  as  incredible 
For  his  j^eople  of  old  ;  what  hinders  now  ? 

MAXOAH. 

He  can,  I  know,  but  doubt  to  think  he  will ; 
Yet  hope  would  fain  subsci-ibe,  and  tempts  belief. 
A  little  stay  will  bring  some  notice  hither. 

CHORUS. 

Of  good  or  bad  so  great,  of  bad  the  sooner, 
For  evil  news  rides  post,  while  good  news  baits. 
And  to  our  wish  I  see  one  hither  speeding. 
An  Hebrew,  as  I  guess,  and  of  our  tribe. 


SAMSON    AOOXIST£S.  393 

MESSENGER. 

Oh,  whither  shall  I  run,  or  which  way  fly 
The  sight  of  this  so  horrid  spectacle, 
Whicli  erst  my  eyes  beheld  and  yet  behold  ? 
For  dire  imagination  still  pursues  me. 
But  providence  or  instinct  of  nature  seems, 
Or  reason  though  disturbed,  and  scarce  consulted, 
To  have  guided  me  aright,  I  know  not  how, 
To  thee  first,  reverend  Manoah,  and  to  these 
My  countrymen,  whom  here  I  knew  remaining 
As  at  some  distance  from  the  place  of  horror, 
So  in  the  sad  event  too  much  concerned. 

MANOAH. 

The  accident  was  loud,  and  here  before  thee 
With  rueful  cry,  yet  what  it  was  we  hear  not ; 
No  preface  needs,  thou  seest  we  long  to  know. 

MESSENGER. 

It  would  burst  forth,  but  I  recover  breath 
And  sense  distract,  to  know  well  what  I  utter. 

MANOAH. 

Tell  us  the  sum  j  the  circumstance  defer. 

MESSENGER. 

Gaza  yet  stands,  but  all  her  sons  are  fallen ; 
All  in  a  moment  overwhelmed  and  fallen. 

MANOAH. 

Sad,  but  thou  know'st  to  Israelites  not  saddest, 
The  desolation  of  a  hostile  city. 

MESSENGER. 

Feed  on  that  first :  there  may  in  grief  be  surfeit. 

MANOAH. 

Relate  by  whom  ? 

MESSENGER. 

By  Samson. 

MANOAH. 

That  still  -lessens 
The  sorrow,  and  converts  it  nigh  to  joy. 

MESSENGER. 

Ah !  Manoah,  I  refrain  too  suddenly 
To  utter  what  will  come  at  last  too  soon  , 


894  SAMSON    AG0NISTE8, 

Ljst  evil  tidings  with  too  rude  irruption 
Hitting  thy  aged  ear  should  pierce  too  deep. 

MANOAII. 

Suspense  in  news  is  torture ;  speak  them  out. 

MESSENGER. 

Take  then  the  worst  in  brief ;  Samson  is  dead  1 

MANOAH. 

The  worst  indeed.     Oh,  all  my  liope's  defeated 
To  free  him  hence !  but  death,  who  sets  all  free, 
Hath  paid  his  ransom  now  and  full  discharge. 
What  windy  joy  this  day  had  I  conceived, 
Hopeful  of  his  delivery,  Avhich  now  proves 
Abortive  as  the  first-born  bloom  of  sj^ring 
Nipped  with  the  lagging  rear  of  winter's  frost  I 
Yet  ere  I  give  the  reins  to  grief,  say  first, 
How  died  he  ?  death  to  life  is  crown  or  shame. 
All  by  him  fell,  thou  say'st ;  by  whom  fell  he  ? 
What  glorious  hand  gave  Samson  his  death's  wound? 

MESSENGEE. 

Unwounded  of  his  enemies  he  fell. 

MANOAH. 

Wearied  with  slaughter  then,  or  how  ?  explain. 

MESSENGER. 

By  his  own  hands. 

MANOAH. 

Self-violence  ?    What  cause 
Brought  him  so  soon  at  variance  with  himself 
Among  liis  foes? 

MESSENGER. 

Inevitable  cause 
At  once  both  to  destroy  and  be  destroyed  : 
The  edifice,  where  all  were  met  to  sec  liim, 
Upon  their  heads  and  on  liis  own  he  pulled 

MANOAH. 

O  lastly  over-strong  against  thyself ! 
A  dreadful  way  thou  took'st  to  thy  revenge. 
More  than  enough  we  know  ;  but  while  things  yet 
Are  in  confusion,  give  us,  if  thou  canst, 
Eve-wituess  of  what  first  or  last  was  done, 
Relation  more  ])articular  and  distinct. 


BAMSON"    AUONISTB8.  89i> 

MESSEIfGER. 

Occasions  drew  me  early  to  this  city, 
And  as  the  gates  I  entered  with  sunrise, 
The  morning  trumpets  festival  proclaimed 
Through  each  high  street :  little  I  had  despatched, 
When  all  abroad  was  rumoured  that  this  day 
Samson  should  be  brought  forth,  to  show  the  people 
Proof  of  his  mighty  strength  in  feats  and  games ; 
I  sorrowed  at  his  captive  state,  but  minded 
Not  to  be  absent  at  that  spectacle. 
The  building  was  a  spacious  theatre, 
Half  round,  on  two  main  pillars  vaulted  high, 
With  seats  where  all  the  lords  and  each  degree 
Of  sort,  might  sit  in  order  to  behold  ; 
The  other  side  was  open,  where  the  throng 
On  banks  and  scaffolds  under  sky  might  stand  ; 
I  among  these  aloof  obscurely  stood. 
The  feast  and  noon  grew  high,  and  sacrifice 
Had  filled  their  hearts  with  mirth,  high  cheer,  and  wine. 
When  to  their  sports  they  turned.     Immediately 
Was  Samson  as  a  public  servant  brought, 
In  their  state  livery  clad :  before  him  pipes 
And  timbrels ;  on  each  side  w^ent  armed  guards, 
Both  horse  and  foot ;  before  him  and  behind, 
Archers  and  slingers,  cataphracts  and  spears. 
At  sight  of  him  the  people  with  a  shout 
Rifted  the  air,  clamouring  their  god  with  praise, 
Who  had  made  their  dreadful  enemy  their  thrall. 
He,  patient  but  undaunted,  where  they  led  him, 
Came  to  the  place,  and  what  was  set  before  him. 
Which  without  help  of  eye  might  be  assayed, 
To  heave,  pull,  draw,  or  break,  he  still  performed 
All  with  incredible,  stupendous  force. 
None  daring  to  appear  antagonist. 
At  length  for  intermission  sake  they  led  him 
Between  the  pillars  ;  he  his  guide  requested 
(For  so  from  such  as  nearer  stood  we  heard). 
As  overtired,  to  let  him  lean  awhile 
With  both  his  arms  on  those  two  massy  pillars. 
That  to  the  arched  roof  gave  main  support. 


896  SAMSON    AGONISTKS. 

He,  unsuspicious,  led  him ;  which  when  Samson 
Felt  in  his  arms,  with  head  awhile  inclined, 
And  eyes  fast  fixed,  he  stood,  as  one  who  prayed, 
Or  some  great  matter  in  his  mind  revolved  : 
At  last,  with  head  erect,  thus  cried  aloud  : 
"  Hitherto,  lords,  what  your  commands  im])osed 
I  have  performed,  as  reason  was,  obeying. 
Not  without  wonder  or  delis;lit  beheld : 
Now,  of  my  own  accord,  such  other  trial 
I  mean  to  show  you  of  my  strength,  yet  greater ; 
As  with  amaze  shall  strike  all  who  behold." 
This  uttered,  straining  all  his  nerves  he  bowed, 
As  with  the  force  of  winds  and  waters  pent. 
When  mountains  tremble,  those  two  massy  pillars 
With  horrible  convulsion  to  and  fro 
He  tugged,  he  shook,  till  down  they  came  and  drew 
The  whole  roof  after  them,  with  burst  of  thunder, 
Upon  the  heads  of  all  who  sat  beneath. 
Lords,  ladies,  ca])tains,  counsellors,  or  priests, 
Their  choice  nobility  and  flower,  not  only 
Of  this  but  each  Philistian  city  round 
Met  from  all  parts  to  solemnize  this  feast. 
Samson,  with  these  immixed,  inevitably 
Pulled  down  the  same  destruction  on  himself ; 
Tiie  vulgar  only  'scaped  who  stood  without. 

cnoRUS. 
Oh,  dearly  bought  revenge,  yet  glorious  ! 
Living  or  dying  thou  hast  fulfilled 
The  work  for  which  thou  wast  foretold 
To  Israel,  and  now  liest  victorious 
Among  thy  slain,  self-killed. 
Not  willingly,  but  tangled  in  the  fold 
Of  dire  necessity,  whose  law  in  death  conjoined 
Thee  with  thy  slaughtered  foes  in  number  more 
Than  all  thy  life  had  slain  before. 

SEMICIIORUS. 

While  their  hearts  were  jocund  and  sublime, 
Drunk  with  idolatry,  drunk  with  wine, 
And  fat  regorged  of  bulb  and  goats, 
Chanting  their  idol,  and  preferring 


SAMSON    AGONI8TE8.  397 

Before  our  living  Dread  who  dwells 

In  Silo,  his  bright  sanctuary  ; 

Among  them  he  a  spirit  of  frenzy  sent, 

Who  hurt  their  minds, 

And  urged  them  on  with  mad  desire 

To  call  in  haste  for  their  destroyer ; 

They,  only  set  on  sport  and  play, 

Unweetingly  importuned 

Their  OAvn  destruction  to  come  speedy  upon  them. 

So  fond  are  mortal  men, 

Fallen  into  wrath  divme, 

As  their  own  ruin  on  themselves  to  invite, 

Insensate  left,  or  to  sense  reprobate, 

And  with  blindness  mternal  struck. 

SEMICnORUSo 

But  he,  though  bhnd  of  sight. 
Despised  and  thought  extinguished  quite, 
With  inward  eyes  illuminated, 
His  fiery  virtue  roused 
From  under  ashes  mto  sudden  flame; 
And  as  an  evening  dragon  came, 
Assailant  on  the  perched  roosts, 
And  nests  in  order  ranged 
Of  tame  villatic  fowl ;  but  as  an  eagle 
I  lis  cloudless  thunder  bolted  on  their  heads. 
So  virtue  given  for  lost, 
Depressed,  and  overthrown,  as  seemed. 
Like  that  self-begotten  bird. 
In  the  Arabian  woods  inibost, 
That  no  second  knows  nor  third, 
And  lay  erewhile  a  holocaust, 
From  out  her  ashy  womb  now  teemed, 
Revives,  reflourishes,  then  vigorous  most 
When  most  unactive  deemed. 
And  though  her  body  die,  her  fame  survives, 
A  secular  bird,  ages  of  lives. 

MANOAH, 

Come,  come !  no  time  for  lamentation  now  ; 
Nor  much  more  cause  ;  Samson  hath  quit  himself 
Like  Samson,  and  heroically  hath  finished 


-  r 


398  SAMSON    AGONISTE8. 

A  life  heroic,  on  his  enemies 

Fully  revenged,  hath  left  them  years  of  mourning 

And  lamentation  to  the  sons  of  Caphtor 

Through  all  Philistian  bounds  ;  to  Israel 

Honour  hath  left,  and  freedom,  let  but  them 

Find  courage  to  lay  hold  on  this  occasion ; 

To  himself  and  father's  house  eternal  fame ; 

And  which  is  best  and  happiest  yet,  all  this 

With  God  not  parted  from  him,  as  was  feared^ 

But  favouring  and  assisting  to  the  end. 

Nothing  is  here  for  tears,  nothing  to  wail 

Or  knock  the  breast ;  no  weakness,  no  contempt, 

Dispraise,  or  blame  ;  nothing  but  well  and  fair, 

And  what  may  quiet  us  in  a  death  so  noble. 

Let  us  go  find  the  body  where  it  lies 

Soaked  in  his  enemies'  blood  ;  and  from  the  stream. 

With  layers  pure,  and  cleansing  herbs,  wash  off 

The  clotted  gore.     I  Avith  what  speed  the  while 

(Gaza  is  not  in  plight  to  say  us  nay) 

Will  send  for  all  my  kindred,  all  my  friends, 

To  fetch  him  hence,  and  solemnly  attend 

With  silent  obsequy  and  funeral  train 

Home  to  his  father's  house :  there  will  I  build  him. 

A  monument,  and  plant  it  round  with  shade 

Of  laurel  ever  green,  and  branching  i)alm. 

With  all  his  trophies  hung,  and  acts  enrolled 

In  copious  legend,  or  sweet  lyric  song. 

Thither  shall  all  the  valiant  youth  resort. 

And  from  his  memory  inflame  their  breasts 

To  matchless  valour,  and  adventures  high ; 

The  virgins  also  shall,  on  feastful  days. 

Visit  his  tomb  with  flowers,  only  bewailing 

His  lot  unfortunate  in  nuptial  choice. 

From  whence  captivity  and  loss  of  eyes. 

CHORUS. 

AH  is  best,  though  we  oft  doubt, 
What  the  unsearchable  dispose 
Of  highest  wisdom  brings  about. 
And  ever  best  found  in  the  close. 
Oft  he  seems  to  hide  his  face, 


SAMSON    AGONISTBS.  899 

But  unexpectedly  returns, 

And  to  his  faithful  champion  hath  in  place 

Bore  witness  gloriously ;  whence  Gaza  monrna. 

And  all  that  band  them  to  resist 

His  uncontrollable  intent ; 

Plis  servants  he,  with  new  acquist 

Of  true  experience  from  this  great  event, 

With  peace  and  consolation  hath  dismissed. 

And  calm  of  mind  all  passion  spent. 


T^ntrsiB  nil  §ntnl  (Drtajstnus, 


"  Baccare  frontem 
CIngite,  ne  vati  noceat  mala  lingua  futuro. 

VinGiii,  Edog.  7. 


I. 

ANNO  ^TATIS  XVU. 

ON  THE  DEATH  OF  A  FAIR  INPANT  DYING  OF  A  COUGH. 

1. 

O  FAIREST  flower  !  no  sooner  blown  but  blasted. 
Soft  silken  primrose  fading  tinielessly, 
Summer's  chief  honour,  if  thou  hadst  out-lasted 
Bleak  Winter's  force  that  made  thy  blossom  dry ; 
For  lie  being  amorous  on  that  lovely  dye 

That  did  thy  cheek  envermeil,  thoi;ght  to  kiss, 
But  killed,  alas !  and  then  bewailed  hfs  fatal  bliss. 

II. 

For  since  grim  Aquilo,  his  charioteer, 
By  boisterous  rape  the  Athenian  damsel  got. 
He  thought  it  touched  his  deity  full  near, 
If  likewise  he  some  fair  one  wedded  not. 
Thereby  to  wipe  away  the  infamous  blot 

Of  long-uncoupled  bed,  and  childless  eld, 
Which  'mongst  the  wanton  gods  a  foul  reproach  was 
held. 

(400) 


POEMS    O^    AEVEEAL    OCCASIOW8.  401 

III. 

So  mounting  tip  in  icy-pearled  car, 
Through  middle  empire  of  the  freezing  air 
Ho  wandered  long,  till  tliee  he  spied  from  far; 
There  ended  was  his  quest,  there  ceased  his  care. 
Down  he  descended  from  his  snow-soft  chair. 
But  all  unwares  with  his  cold-kind  embrace 
Unhoused  thy  virgin  soul  from  her  fair  biding  place, 

IV. 

Yet  art  thou  not  inglorious  in  thy  fate ; 
For  so  Apollo,  with  unweeting  hand, 
Whilome  did  slay  his  dearly-loved  mate, 
Young  Hyacinth,  born  on  Eurotas'  strand, 
Young  Hyacinth,  the  pride  of  Spartan  land  ; 

But  then  transformed  him  to  a  purple  flower : 
Alack !  that  so  to  change  thee  Winter  had  no  power 

V. 

Yet  can  I  not  persuade  me  thou  art  dead. 

Or  that  thy  corse  corrupts  in  earth's  dark  womb, 

Or  that  thy  beauties  lie  in  wormy  bed. 

Hid  from  the  world  in  a  low-delved  tomb ; 

Could  Heaven  for  pity  be  so  strictly  doom  ? 

Oh,  no  !  for  something  in  thy  face  did  shine 
Above  mortality,  that  showed  thou  wast  divine. 

VI. 

Resolve  me  then,  O  soul  most  surely  blest ! 
(If  so  it  be  that  thou  these  plaints  dost  hear)  ; 
Tell  me,  bright  spirit,  where'er  thou  hoverest, 
Whether  above  that  high  first-moving  sphere, 
Or  in  the  Elysian  fields  (if  such  there  were) ; 
Oh,  say  me  true,  if  thou  Avert  moral  wight, 
And  Avhy  from  us  so  quickly  thou  didst  take  thy  flight  ? 

VII. 

Wert  thou  some  star  which  from  the  ruined  roof 
Of  shaked  Olympus  by  mischance  didst  fall; 
Which  careful  Jove  in  nature's  true  behoof 
Took  up,  and  in  fit  place  did  reinstal  ? 
Or  did  of  late  earth's  sons  besiege  the  wall 

Of  sheeny  Heaven,  and  thou  some  goddess  fled 
Amongst  us  here  below  to  hide  thy  noctared  head  ? 

26 


402  POEMS    ON    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS. 

VIII. 

Or  wert  thou  that  just  maid  who  once  before 

Forsook  the  hated  earth,  oh,  tell  me  sooth ! 

And  cam'st  again  to  visit  us  once  more  ? 

Or  wert  thou  that  sweet  smiling  youth  ? 

Or  that  crowned  matron  sage,  white-robed  Truth? 

Or  any  other  of  that  heavenly  brood 
Let  down  in  cloudy  throne  to  do  the  world  some  good  ? 

IX. 

Or  wert  thou  of  the  golden-winged  host, 
Who,  having  clad  thyself  in  human  weed, 
To  earth  from  thy  prefixed  seat  didst  host, 
And  after  short  abode  fly  back  with  speed. 
As  if  to  show  what  creatures  Heaven  doth  breed, 

Thereby  to  set  the  hearts  of  men  on  fire, 
To  scorn  the  sordid  world,  and  unto  Heaven  aspire 

X. 

But  oh  !  why  didst  thou  not  stay  here  below 
To  bless  us  with  thy  Heaven-loved  innocence. 
To  slake  his  wrath  whom  sin  hath  made  our  foe, 
To  turn  swift-rushing  black  perdition  hence, 
Or  drive  away  the  slaughtering  pestilence, 

To  stand  'twixt  us  and  our  deserved  smart? 
But  thou  canst  best  perform  that  office  where  thou  art. 

XI, 

Then  thou,  the  mother  of  so  sweet  a  child, 
Her  false  imagined  loss  cease  to  lament, 
And  wisely  learn  to  curb  thy  sorrows  wild ; 
Think  what  a  present  thou  to  God  hast  sent. 
And  render  him  with  patience  what  he  lent ; 

This  if  thou  do,  he  Avill  an  offspring  give, 
That  till  the  world's  last  end  shall  make  thy  name  to  live. 


n. 

ANNO  JETATIS  XIX. 

[At  a  vacation  exercise  in  tlie  College,  part  Latin,  pa.t  English.    The 
Latin  speeches  ended,  the  English  thus  began.] 

Hail,  native  language !  that  by  sinews  weak 
Didst  move  my  first  endeavouring  tongue  to  speak, 


POEMS    ON    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS,  408 

And  mad'st  imperfect  words  with  childish  trips, 

Half  unpronounced,  slide  through  my  infant  lips, 

Driving  dumb  silence  from  the  portal  door, 

Where  he  had  mutely  sat  two  years  before  : 

Here  I  salute  thee,  and  thy  pardon  ask, 

That  noAV  I  use  thee  in  my  latter  task : 

Small  loss  it  is  that  thence  can  come  unto  thee, 

I  know  my  tongue  but  little  grace  can  do  thee: 

Thou  nced'st  not  be  ambitious  to  be  first. 

Believe  me  I  have  thither  packed  the  worst ; 

And,  if  it  happen  as  I  did  forecast, 

The  daintiest  dishes  shall  be  served  up  last. 

I  pray  thee  then  deny  me  not  thy  aid 

For  this  same  small  neglect  that  I  have  made; 

But  haste  thee  straight  to  do  me  once  a  pleasure. 

And  from  thy  wardrobe  bring  thy  chiefest  treasure, 

Not  those  new-fangled  toys  and  trimming  slight 

Which  takes  our  late  fantastics  with  delight. 

But  cull  those  richest  robes  and  gay'st  attire 

Which  deepest  spirits  and  choicest  wits  desire : 

I  have  some  naked  thoughts  that  rove  about, 

And  loudly  knock  to  have  their  passage  out ;, 

And,  weary  of  their  place,  do  only  stay 

Till  thou  hast  decked  them  in  thy  ])est  array, 

That  so  they  may,  without  suspect  or  fears,. 

Fly  swiftly  to  this  fair  assembly's  ears ;. 

Yet  I  had  rather,  if  I  were  to  choose, 

Thy  service  in  some  graver  subject  use,. 

Such  as  may  make  thee  search  tliy  coffers  round, 

feefore  thou  clothe  my  fancy  in  fit  sound  : 

Such  where  the  deep  transported  mind  may  soar 

Above  the  wheeling  poles,  and  at  Heaven's  door 

Look  in,  and  see  each  blissful  deity 

How  he  before  the  thunderous  throne  doth  lie, 

Listening  to  what  unshorn  Apollo  sings 

To  the  touch  of  golden  wires,  while  Hebe  brings 

^mmortal  nectar  to  her  kingly  sire; 

Then  passing  through  the  spheres  of  watchful  fire, 

And  misty  regions  of  wide  air  next  under. 

And  hUls  of  snow  and  lofts  of  piled  thunder. 


404  -  POEMS   ON    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS. 

May  tell  at  length  how  green-eyed  Neptune  raves, 

In  Heaven's  defiance  mustering  all  his  waves ; 

Then  sing  of  secret  things  that  came  to  pass 

When  beldame  Nature  in  her  cradle  was; 

And  last  of  kings  and  queens  and  heroes  old. 

Such  as  the  wise  Demodocus  once  told 

In  solemn  songs  at  king  Alcinous'  feast 

While  sad  Ulysses'  soul  and  all  the  rest 

Are  held  with  his  melodious  harmony 

In  willing  chains  and  sweet  captivity. 

But  fie,  my  wandering  muse,  how  thou  dost  stray! 

Expectance  calls  thee  now  another  way; 

Thou  know'st  it  must  be  now  thy  only  bent 

To  keep  in  compass  of  thy  predicament: 

Then  quick  about  thy  purposed  business  come, 

That  to  the  next  I  may  resign  my  room. 

[Then  Ens  is  represented  as  father  of  the  Predicaments,  his  ten  sons, 
whereof  the  eldest  stood  for  Substance  with  his  canons,  which  Ens, 
thus  speaking,  explains.] 

Good  luck  befriend  thee,  son  ;  for  at  thy  birth 

The  fairy  ladies  danced  upon  the  cnrth  ; 

Thy  drowsy  nurse  hath  sworn  she  did  them  spy 

Come  tripping  to  the  room  where  thou  didst  lie, 

And,  sweetly  singing  round  about  thy  bed, 

Strew  all  their  blessings  on  thy  sleeping  head. 

She  heard  them  give  thee  this,  that  thou  shouldst  still 

From  eyes  of  mortals  walk  invisible  : 

Yet  there  is  something  that  doth  force  my  fear. 

For  once  it  was  my  dismal  hap  to  hear 

A  sibyl  old,  bow-bent  with  crooked  age. 

That  far  events  full  wisely  could  ])resage, 

And  in  time's  long  and  dark  prospective  glass 

Foresaw  what  future  days  should  bring  to  pass : 

Your  son,  said  she  (nor  can  you  it  prevent), 

Shall  subject  be  to  many  an  accident. 

O'er  all  his  brethren  he  shall  reign  as  king:. 

Yet  every  one  shall  make  him  underling, 

And  those  that  cannot  live  from  him  asunder 

Ungratefully  shall  strive  to  keep  him  under. 

In  worth  and  excellence  he  shall  out-go  them. 


POEMS  ON  SEVERAL  OCCASIONS.         405 

Fat,  being  above  tliein,  be  shall  be  below  them: 

From  others  he  shall  stand  in  need  of  nothing, 

Yet  on  his  brothers  shall  depend  for  clothing. 

To  find  a  foe  it  shall  not  be  his  hap, 

And  peace  shall  lull  him  in  her  flowery  lap; 

Yet  shall  he  live  in  strife,  and  at  his  door 

Devouring  war  shall  never  cease  to  roar: 

Yea  it  shall  be  his  natural  property 

To  harbour  those  that  are  at  enmity. 

What  power,  what  force,  what  mighty  spell,  if  not 

Your  learned  hands,  can  loose  this  Gordian  knot? 

[The  next,  Quantity  and  Quality,  spake  in  prose,  then  Rela- 
tion was  called  by  his  name.] 

Rivers,  arise  !  Avhether  thou  be  the  son 

Of  utmost  Tweed,  or  Oose,  or  gulfy  Dun  ; 

Or  Trent,  who,  like  some  earth-born  giant,  spreads 

His  thirty  arms  along  the  indented  meads  ; 

Or  sullen  Mole,  that  runneth  underneath  ; 

Or  Severn  swift,  guilty  of  maidens'  death ; 

Or  rocky  Avon  ;  or  of  sedgy  Lee ; 

Or  coaly  Tine ;  or  ancient  hallowed  Dee ; 

Or  Humber  loud,  that  keeps  the  Scythian's  name  j 

Or  Medway  smooth ;  or  royal  towered  Thame. 

[The  rest  was  prose.] 


III. 

Olq-  THE  MOljLNING  OF  CHRIST'S    NATIVITY. 

Composed  1629. 
I. 
This  is  the  month,  and  this  the  happy  morn, 
Wherein  the  Son  of  Heaven's  eternal  King, 
Of  wedded  maid,  and  virgin  mother  born, 
Our  great  redemption  from  above  did  bring; 
For  so  the  holy  sages  once  did  sing. 

That  he  our  deadly  forfeit  should  release. 
And  with  his  Father  work  us  a  perpetual  peace. 

II. 
That  glorious  form,  that  light  unsufferable. 
And  that  far-beaming  blaze  of  majesty 


406  Poems  ox  several  occasions. 


Wherewith  he  wont  at  Heaven's  high  council-table 

To  sit  the  midst  of  Trinal  Unity, 

He  laid  aside  ;  and  here  with  us  to  be, 

Forsook  the  courts  of  everlasting  day, 
And  chose  with  us  a  darksome  house  of  mortal  clay. 

III. 
Say,  heavenly  muse,  shall  not  thy  sacred  vein 
Afford  a  present  to  the  infant  God? 
Hast  thou  no  verse,  no  hymn,  or  solemn  strain, 
To  welcome  him  to  this  his  new  abode, 
Now  while  the  Heaven,  by  the  sun's  team  untrod, 

Hath  took  no  print  of  the  a]iproaching  light. 
And   all   the    spangled  host    keep  watch    in    squadrons 
bright  ? 

IV. 

See  how  from  far  upon  the  eastern  road 
The  star-led  wizards  haste  with  odours  sweet : 
Oh,  run,  prevent  them  with  thy  humble  ode, 
And  lay  it  lowly  at  his  blessed  feet ; 
Have  thou  the  honour  first  thy  Lord  to  greet, 

And  join  thy  voice  unto  the  angel  quire. 
From  out  his  secret  altar  touched  with  hallowed  fire. 

The  Hymn. 
I. 

It  was  the  winter  wild. 
While  the  Heaven-born  child 

All  meanly  wrapped  in  the  rude  manger  lies ; 
Nature  in  awe  to  him 
Had  doffed  her  gaudy  trim, 

With  her  great  Master  so  to  sympathize : 
It  was  no  season  then  for  her 
To  wanton  with  the  sun,  her  lusty  paramour. 

n. 
Only  with  speeches  fair 
She  woes  the  gentle  air 

To  hide  her  guilty  front  with  innocent  8now» 
And  on  her  naked  shame. 
Pollute  with  sinful  blame. 

The  saintly  veil  of  maiden  white  to  throw. 


POEMS    ON"    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS.  40 V 

Confounded,  that  her  Maker's  eyes 

Should  look  so  near  upon  her  foul  deformities. 

ui. 
But  he,  her  fears  to  cease. 
Sent  down  the  meek-eyed  Peace ; 

She,  crowned  with  olive  green,  came  softly  sliding 
Down  tlirough  the  turning  sphere 
His  ready  liarbinger. 

With  turtle  wing  the  amorous  clouds  dividing, 
And  waving  wide  her  myrtle  wand. 
She  strikes  an  universal  peace  through  sea  and  land. 

IV. 
No  war,  or  battle's  sound. 
Was  heard  the  world  around : 

The  idle  spear  and  shield  were  high  up  hung  ; 
The  hooked  chariot  stood. 
Unstained  with  hostile  blood ; 

The  trumpet  spake  not  to  the  arm6d  throng, 
And  kings  sat  still  with  awful  eye, 
As  if  they  surely  knew  their  sovran  Lord  was  by. 

V. 

/  But  peaceful  was  the  night 
Wherein  the  Prince  of  Light 

His  reign  of  peace  upon  the  earth  began  : 
The  winds  with  wonder  whist 
Smoothly  the  watei'S  kissed,  • 

Whispering  new  joys  to  the  mild  ocean, 
Who  now  hath  quite  forgot  to  rave, 
,  While  birds  of  calm  sit  brooding  on  the  charmed  wave. 

The  stars  with  deep  amaze 
Stand  fixed  in  stedfast  gaze, 

Bending  one  way  their  precious  influence, 
And  Avill  not  take  their  flight. 
For  all  the  morning  light, 

Or  Lucifer  that  often  warned  them  thence ; 
But  in  their  glimmering  orbs  did  glow, 
Until  their  Lord  himself  besjiake,  and  bid  them  go, 
^  vu. 

And  though  the  shady  gloom 
Had  given  day  her  room, 


408  POEMS    ON    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS. 

The  sun  himself  withheld  his  wonted  speed, 
And  hid  his  head  for  shame, 
As  his  inferior  flame 

The  new  enlightened  world  no  more  should  need ; 
He  saw  a  greater  sun  appear 
Than  his  bright  throne,  or  burning  axletree,  could  bear. 

vm. 
The  shepherds  on  the  lawn. 
Or  e'er  the  point  of  dawn, 

Sat  simply  chatting  in  a  rustic  row; 
Full  little  thought  they  then, 
^  ^    That  the  mighty  Pan 

Was  kindly  come  to  live  with  them  below ; 
Perhaps  their  loves,  or  else  their  sheep, 
Was  all  that  did  their  silly  thoughts  so  busy  keep. 

IX. 

When  such  music  sweet 
Their  hearts  and  ears  did  greet, 

As  never  was  by  mortal  finger  strook. 
Divinely-warbled  voice 
Answering  the  stringed  noise, 

As  all  their  souls  in  blissful  rapture  took : 
The  air,  such  pleasure  loth  to  lose. 
With  thousand  echoes  still  prolongs  each  heavenly  close. 

X. 

Nature  that  heard  sucli  sound, 
Beneath  the  hollow  round 

Of  Cynthia's  seat,  the  airy  region  thrilling. 
Now  M'as  almost  won 
To  think  her  part  was  done. 

And  that  her  reign  had  here  its  last  fulfilling; 
She  knew  such  harmony  alone 
Could  hold  all  heaven  and  earth  in  happier  union. 

XI. 

At  last  surrounds  their  sight 
A  globe  of  circular  light. 

That  with  long  beams  the  shame-faced  night  arrayed ; 
The  helmed  cherubim, 
•  And  sworded  seraphim, 

Are  seen  in  glittering  ranks  with  wings  displayed, 


POEMS    ON    SEVERAL    OCCAglOVS.  409 

Harping  in  loud  and  solemn  quire, 

With  uuexpressive  notes  to  Heaven's  new-born  Heir 

xn. 
Such  masic  (as  'tis  said) 
Before  was  never  made, 

But  when  of  old  the  sons  of  morning  sung, 
While  the  Creator  great 
His  constellations  set. 

And  the  well-balanced  world  on  hinges  hung, 
And  cast  the  dark  foundations  deep, 
And  bitl  the  weltering  waves  their  oozy  channel  keep. 

XIII. 

Ring  out,  ye  crystal  spheres, 
Once  bless  our  human  ears 

(If  yc  have  power  to  touch  our  senses  so), 
And  let  your  silver  chime 
Move  in  melodious  time. 

And  let  the  base  of  Heaven's  deep  organ  blow, 
And  Avith  your  ninefold  harmony 
Make  up  full  consort  to  the  angelic  symphony. 

XIV. 

For  if  such  holy  song 
Enwrap  our  fancy  long, 

Time  will  run  back,  and  fetch  the  age  of  gold. 
And  speckled  Vanity 
Will  sicken  soon  and  die. 

And  leprous  Sin  will  melt  from  earthly  mould, 
And  Hell  itself  will  pass  away, 
And  leave  her  dolorous  mansions  to  the  peering  day. 

XV. 

Yea,  Truth  and  Justice  then 
Will  doAvn  return  to  men. 

Orbed  in  a  rainbow ;  and  like  glories  wearing 
Mercy  will  sit  between, 
Throned  in  celestial  sheen, 

With  radiant  feet  the  tissued  clouds  down  steering, 
And  Heaven,  as  at  some  festival, 
Will  open  wide  the  gates  of  her  high  palace  hall. 


410  POEMS    ox    SEVERAL   OCCASIONS. 

XVI. 

But  wisest  Fate  says  no, 

This  must  not  yet  be  so, 

The  babe  lies  yet  in  smiling  infancy, 
That  on  the  bitter  cross 
Must  redeem  our  loss ; 

So  both  himself  and  us  to  glorify : 
Yet  first  to  those  y chained  in  sleep, 

The  wakeful  trump  of  doom  must  thunder  through  the 
deep, 

xvn. 
With  such  a  horrid  clang 
As  on  Mount  Sinai  rang, 

While  the  red  fire  and  smouldering  clouds  out  brake : 
The  aged  earth  aghast. 
With  terror  of  that  blast, 

Shall  from  the  surface  to  the  centre  shake ; 
When  at  the  world's  last  session. 
The  dreadful  Judge  in  middle  air  shall  spi-ead  his  throng. 

XVIII. 

And  then  at  last  our  bliss 
Full  and  perfect  is, 

But  now  begins ;  for,  from  this  happy  day, 
■  The  old  dragon,  underground 
In  straiter  limits  bound. 

Not  half  so  far  casts  his  usurped  sway, 
And  wroth  to  see  his  kingdom  fail. 
Swinges  the  scaly  horror  of  liis  folded  tail. 

XIX. 

The  oracles  are  dumb. 
No  voice  or  liideous  hum 

Runs  througli  the  arched  roof  in  words  deceiving. 
Apollo  from  liis  shrine 
Can  no  more  divine. 

With  hollow  shriek  the  steep  of  Delphos  leaving, 
No  nightly  trance,  or  breathed  spell. 
Inspires  the  pale-eyed  priest  from  the  prophetic  cell. 

XX. 

The  lonely  mountains  o'er, 
And  the  resounding  shore, 


P0BM8    0?7    BKVEKAT,    OCCASIONS.  411 

A  voice  of  weeping  heard  and  loud  lament; 
From  haunted  spring,  and  dale 
Edged  with  poplar  pale, 

The  parting  genius  is  with  sighing  sent ; 
With  flower-inwoven  tresses  torn 
The  nymphs  in  twilight  shade  of  tangled  thickets  mourn. 

XXI. 

In  consecrated  earth, 
And  on  the  holy  hearth, 

The  Lars  and  Lemures  moan  with  midnight  plaint; 
In  urns,  and  altars  roxmd, 
A  drear  and  dying  sound 

Affrights  the  Flamens  at  their  service  quaint ; 
And  the  chill  marble  seems  to  sweat. 
While  each  peculiar  power  foregoes  his  wonted  seat. 

XXII. 

Peor  and  Baalim 
Forsake  their  temples  dim, 

With  that  twice  battered  god  of  Palestine ; 
And  mooned  Ashtaroth, 
Heaven's  queen  and  mother  both. 

Now  sits  not  girt  with  tapers'  holy  shine  ; 
The  Lybic  Hammon  shrinks  his  horn, 
In  vain  the  Tyriau  maids  their  wounded  Thammuz  mourn. 

xxui. 
And  sullen  Moloch  fled. 
Hath  left  in  shadows  dread 

His  burning  idol  all  of  blackest  hue ; 
In  vain  with  cymbals'  ring 
They  call  the  grisly  king, 

In  dismal  dance  about  the  furnace  blue ; 
The  brutish  gods  of  Nile  as  fast, 
Isis,  and  Orus,  and  the  dog  Anubis,  haste. 

XXIV. 

Nor  is  Osiris  seen 

In  Memphian  grove  or  green. 

Trampling  the  unshowered  grass  with  lowings  loud  ! 
Nor  can  he  be  at  rest 
Within  his  sacred  chest, 

Nought  but  profoundest  hell  can  be  his  shroud ; 


412  POEMS    OV    SEVERAL    OCCASIOXS. 

In  vain  with  timbrellcd  anthems  dark 

The  sable-stoled  sorcerers  bear  his  worshipped  ark, 

XXV. 

He  feels  from  Juda's  land 
The  dreaded  infant's  hand, 

The  rays  of  Bctlilehem  blind  his  dusky  eyn ; 
Nor  all  the  gods  beside, 
Longer  dare  abide, 

Not  Typhon  huge  ending  in  snaky  twine : 
Our  Babe  to  show  his  Godhead  true, 
Can  in  his  swaddling  bands  control  the  damned  crew. 

XXVI. 

So  when  the  sun  in  bed, 
Curtained  with  cloudy  red, 

Pillows  his  chin  upon  an  orient  wave, 
Tlie  flocking  shadows  pale 
Troop  to  the  infernal  jail, 

Each  fettered  ghost  slips  to  his  several  grave, 
And  the  yellow-skirted  fays 
Fly  after  the  night-steeds,  leaving  their  moon-loved  maze. 

XXVII. 

But  see  the  virgin  blest 
Hath  laid  her  Babe  to  rest, 

Time  is  our  tedious  song  should  here  have  ending : 
Heaven's  youngest  teemed  star 
Hath  fixed  lier  polished  car. 

Her  sleeping  Lord  with  handmaid  lamp  attending: 
And  all  about  the  courtly  stable 
Bright-harnessed  angels  sit  in  order  serviceable. 


IV. 

THE  PASSION. 

I, 
Ere  WHILE  of  music,  and  ethereal  mirth. 
Wherewith  the  stage  of  air  and  earth  did  ring. 
And  joyous  news  of  heavenly  Infant's  birth, 
My  muse  with  angels  did  divide  to  sing; 
But  headlong  joy  is  ever  on  the  wing, 


rOEMS    ox    StVKKAL    OCCASIONS.  413 

In  winter  solstice  like  the  shortened  liglit 
Soou  bwal]owed  up  in  dark  and  long  out-living  night. 

II. 
For  now  to  sorrow  must  I  tune  my  song, 
And  set  my  harp  to  notes  of  saddest  woe, 
Which  on  our  dearest  Lord  did  seize  ere  long, 
Dangers,  and  snares,  and  Avrongs,  and  worse  than  so, 
Which  he  for  us  did  freely  undergo  : 

INIost  perfect  Hero,  tried  in  heaviest  plight 
Of  labours  huge  and  hard,  too  hard  for  human  wight ! 

III. 
He,  sovran  Priest,  stooping  his  regal  head, 
That  dropped  with  odorous  oil  down  his  fair  eyes, 
Poor  fleshly  tabernacle  entered. 
His  starry  front  low-roofed  beneath  the  skies  : 
Oh,  what  a  mask  was  there,  what  a  disguise  ! 

Yet  more  ;  the  stroke  of  death  he  must  abide, 
Then  lies  him  meekly  down  fast  by  his  brethren's  side. 

IV. 

Tliese  latest  scenes  confine  my  roving  verse, 
To  this  horizon  is  my  Phoebus  bound ; 
His  godlike  acts,  and  his  temptations  fierce. 
And  former  sufferings  other  Avhere  are  found; 
Loud  o'er  the  rest  Cremona's  trump  doth  sound, 

Me  softer  airs  befit,  and  softer  strings 
Of  lute,  or  viol  still,  more  apt  for  mournful  things. 

V. 

Befriend  me  night,  best  patroness  of  grief, 

Over  tlie  pole  thy  thickest  mantle  tlirow. 

And  M'ork  my  flattered  fancy  to  belief, 

That  Heaven  and  P2aith  are  coloured  with  my  woe; 

JNIy  sorrows  are  too  dark  for  day  to  know : 

The  leaves  should  all  be  black  whereon  I  write, 
And  letters,  where  ray  tears  have  washed,  a  vvannish  white. 

VI. 

See,  see  the  chariot,  and  those  rushing  wheels, 
That  whirled  the  ju-opliet  up  at  Chebar  flood, 
My  spirit  some  transporting  cherub  feels, 
To  bear  me  where  the  towers  of  Salem  stood. 
Once  glorious  towers,  now  sunk  in  guiltless  blood; 


414:  POEMS    ON    SEVERAL    OCCASIOXR. 

Tliere  doth  my  soul  in  holy  vision  sit 
In  pensive  trance,  and  anguish,  and  ecstatic  fit. 

vit. 
Mine  eye  hath  found  that  sad  sepulchral  rock 
That  was  tlie  casket  of  Heaven's  richest  store, 
And  here  though  grief  my  feeble  hands  up  lock. 
Yet  on  the  softened  quarry  would  I  score 
My  plaining  verse  as  lively  as  before  ; 

For  sure  so  well  instructed  are  my  tears. 
That  they  would  fitly  fall  in  ordered  characters. 

VIII. 

Or  should  I  thence,  hurried  on  viewless  wing, 

Take  up  a  weeping  on  the  mountains  Avild, 

The  gentle  neighl>ourhood  of  grove  and  sjiring 

Would  soon  unbosom  all  their  echoes  mild, 

And  I  (for  grief  is  easily  beguiled) 

Might  think  the  infection  of  my  sorrows  loud 

Had  got  a  race  of  mourners  on  some  pregnant  cloud. 

[This  subject  the  author  finding  to  be  above  tlie  years  lie  had,  when  ho 
wrote  it,  aud  nothing  satisfied  with  what  was  begun,  left  it  unfinished.) 


ON  TIME. 

Fly,  envious  Time,  till  thou  run  out  thy  race ; 

Call  on  the  lazy  leaden-stepping  hours. 

Whose  speed  is  but  the  heavy  plummet's  pace ; 

And  glut  thyself  with  what  thy  womb  devours,      -'  ^  ^^/^f"^^*- 

Which  is  no  more  than  what  is  false  and  vain, 

And  merely  mortal  dross  ; 

So  little  is  our  loss, 

So  little  is  thy  gain. 

For  when  as  each  thing  bad  thou  hast  entombed. 

And  last  of  all  thy  greedy  self  consumed, 

Tlicn  long  eternity  shall  greet  our  bliss 

With  an  individual  kiss; 

And  joy  shall  overtake  us  as  a  flood. 

When  every  thing  that  is  sincerely  good 

And  perfectly  divine, 


POEMS    ON    SEVERAL   OCCASIONS.  416 

Witli  truth,  and  peace,  and  love,  sliall  ever  shine 

About  thesujireme  tin-one 

Of  him,  to  whose  ha])py-making  sight  alone 

When  once  our  heavenly-guided  soul  shall  climb, 

Then  all  this  earthy  grossness  quit, 

-Attired  with  stars,  we  shall  for  ever  sit, 

■^'riuniphing    over  Death,    and  Chance,  and  thee,  O 
Time. 


VI. 
UPON  THE  CIRCUIVICISION. 

Ye  flaming  powers,  and  winged  warriors  bright. 
That  erst  with  music,  and  triumphant  song, 
First  heard  by  hap])y  watchful  shejiherds'  car. 
So  sweetly  sung  your  joy  the  clouds  along 
Tlirougli  the  soft  silence  of  the  listening  night, 
Now  mourn  ;  and  if  sad  share  with  us  to  bear 
Your  fiery  essence  can  distil  no  tear, 
Burn  in  your  sighs,  and  borrow 
Seas  wept  from  our  deep  sorrow  : 
He  who  with  all  Heaven's  heraldry  whilere 
Entered  the  world,  now  bleeds  to  give  us  ease; 
Alas  !  hoAv  soon  our  sin 
Sore  doth  begin 

His  infancy  to  seize! 

O  more  exceeding  love,  or  law  more  just? 

Just  law,  indeed,  but  more  exceeding  love! 

For  we  by  rightful  doom  remediless 

Were  lost  in  death,  till  he  that  dwelt  above. 

High  throned  in  secret  bliss,  for  us  frail  dust 

Enij^tied  his  glory,  cA-en  to  nakedness; 

And  that  great  covenant  Avhich  we  still  transgress 

Entirely  satisfied, 

And  the  full  wrath  beside 

Of  vengeful  justice  bore  for  our  excess. 

And  seals  obedience  first  with  wounding  smart 

This  day  ;  but  oh,  ere  long, 

Huge  pangs  and  strong 

Will  pierce  more  near  his  heart. 


416  POEMS    ON    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS. 

VII. 

AT  A  SOLEMN  MUSIC. 

Blest  pair  of  Sirens,  pledges  of  Heaven's  joy, 

Sphere-born  harmonious  sisters,  Voice  and  Verse, 

Wed  your  divine  sounds,  and  mixed  power  employ. 

Dead  things  with  inbreathed  sense  able  to  pierce, 

And  to  our  high-raised  fantasy  present 

That  undisturbed  song  of  pure  concent. 

Aye  sung  befoi-e  the  sapphire-coloured  throne 

To  him  that  sits  thereon, 

AVith  saintly  shout,  and  solemn  jubilee, 

Whei-e  the  .bright  seraphim  in  burning  row 

Their  loud  uplifted  angel-trumpets  blow, 

And  the  cherubic  host  in  thousand  quires 

Touch  their  immortal  harps  of  golden  wires, 

With  those  just  spirits  that  Avear  victorious  palms. 

Hymns  devout  and  holy  psalms 

Singing  everlastingly ; 

That  we  on  earth  with  undiscording  voice 

May  rightly  answer  that  melodious  noise ; 

As  once  we  did,  till  disproportioned  sin 

Jarred  against  nature's  chime,  and  with  harsh  din 

Broke  the  fair  music  that  all  creatures  made 

To  their  great  Lord,  whose  love  their  motion  swayed 

In  perfect  diapason,  whilst  they  stood 

In  first  obedience,  and  their  state  of  good. 

Oh,  may  we  soon  again  i*enew  that  song. 

And  keep  in  tune  with  Heaven,  till  God  ere  long 

To  his  celestial  consort  us  unite. 

To  live  with  him,  and  sing  in  endless  morn  of  light. 


VIII. 


AN  EPITAPH  ON  THE  MARCHIONESS  OF 
WINCHESTER. 

This  rich  marble  doth  inter 

The  honoured  wife  of  Winchester, 

A  viscount's  daughter,  an  earl's  heir 


FOEMS    OX    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS.  417 

Besides  what  her  virtues  fair 
Added  to  her  uoble  birth, 
More  than  she  could  own  from  earth. 
Summers  three  times  eight,  save  one, 
She  had  told  ;  alas  !   too  soon, 
After  so  short  time  of  breath, 
To  house  with  darkness,  and  with  death 
Yet  had  the  number  of  her  days 
Been  as  com])lete  as  was  her  praise, 
Nature  and  fate  had  had  no  strife 
In  giving  limit  to  her  life. 
Her  high  birth,  arrd  her  graces  sweet, 
Quickly  found  a  lover  meet ; 
The  virgin  quire  for  her  request 
The  god  that  sits  at  marriage  feast ; 
He  at  their  invoking  came. 
But  with  a  scarce  well-lighted  flame  ; 
And  in  his  garland  as  he  stood 
Ye  might  discern  a  cypress  bud. 
Once  had  the  early  matrons  run 
To  greet  her  of  a  lovely  son. 
And  now  with  second  hope  she  goes, 
And  calls  Lucina  to  her  throes  ; 
But  whether  by  mischance  or  blame 
Atropos  for  Lucina  came, 
And  with  remorseless  cruelty 
Spoiled  at  once  both  fruit  and  tree : 
The  hapless  babe  before  his  birth 
Had  burial,  yet  not  laid  in  earth. 
And  the  lanofuished  mother's  womb 
Was  not  long  a  living  tomb. 
So  have  I  seen  some  tender  slip. 
Saved  with  care  from  winter's  nip. 
The  )»ride  of  her  carnation  train. 
Plucked  up  by  some  unheedy  swain 
Who  only  thought  to  crop  the  flower 
New  shot  up  from  vernal  shower ; 
But  the  fair  blossom  hangs  the  head 
Side-ways,  as  on  a  dying  bed. 
And  those  pearls  of  dew  she  wears, 
27 


41b  POEMS    OX    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS. 

Prove  to  be  j^resaging  tears, 

Which  the  sad  morn  had  let  fall 

On  her  hastening  funeral. 

Gentle  lady,  may  thy  grave 

Peace  and  quiet  ever  have ; 

After  this,  thy  travel  sore, 

Sweet  rest  seize  thee  evermore, 

That  to  give  the  world  increase. 

Shortened  hast  thy  own  life's  lease. 

Here,  besides  the  sorrowing 

That  thy  noble  house  doth  bring, 

Here  be  tears  of  perfect  moan 

Wept  for  thee  in  Helicon, 

And  some  flowers,  and  some  bays, 

For  thy  hearse,  to  strew  the  ways, 

Sent  thee  from  the  banks  of  Came, 

Devoted  to  thy  virtuous  name ; 

Whilst  thou,  bright  saint,  high  sitt'st  in  glory, 

!Next  her  much  like  to  thee  in  story. 

That  fair  Syrian  shepherdess. 

Who,  after  years  of  barrenness. 

The  highly  favoured  Joseph  bore 

To  him  that  served  for  her  before, 

And  at  her  next  birth,  much  like  thee, 

Through  pangs  fled  to  felicity, 

Par  within  the  bosom  bright 

Of  blazing  Majesty  and  Light ; 

There  with  thee,  new  welcome  saint, 

Like  fortunes  may  her  soul  acquaint. 

With  tliee  there  clad  in  radiant  sheen. 

No  marchioness,  but  now  a  queen. 


IX. 
SONG  ON  MAY  MORNING. 

Now  the  bright  morning  star,  day's  harbinger. 
Comes  dancing  from  the  east,  and  leads  with  her 
The  flowery  May,  who  from  her  green  lap  throws 
The  yellow  cowslip,  and  the  pale  primrose. 

Hail,  bounteous  May,  that  dost  inspire 
Mirth  and  youth  and  warm  desire ; 


POEMS    ON    SEVERAL   OCCASIONS.  41i) 

Woods  and  groves  are  of  thy  dressing, 

Hill  and  dale  doth  boast  thy  blessing. 
Thus  we  salute  thee  with  our  early  song, 
And  welcome  thee,  and  wish  thee  long. 


X. 

ON  SHAKSPEARE,   16S0. 

What  needs  my  Shakspeare  for  his  honoured  bones 

The  labour  of  an  age  in  piled  stones  ? 

Or  that  his  hallowed  reliques  should  be  hid 

Under  a  star-ypointing  pyramid  ? 

Dear  sou  of  memory,  great  air  of  fame, 

What  need'st  thou  such  weak  witness  of  thy  name  ? 

Thou  in  our  wonder  and  astonishment 

Hast  built  thyself  a  livelong  monument. 

For  whilst  to  the  shame  of  flow-endeavouring  art 

Thy  easy  numbers  flow,  and  that  each  heart 

Hath  from  the  leaves  of  thy  unvalued  book 

Those  Delphic  lines  with  deep  impression  took  ; 

Then  thou  our  fancy  of  itself  bereaving. 

Dost  make  us  marble  with  too  much  conceiving ; 

And  so  sepulchred  in  such  pomp  dost  lie, 

That  kings,  for  such  a  tomb,  would  wish  to  die. 


XI. 

ON  THE  UNIVERSITY  CARRIER, 

WHO    SICKENED    IN     THE     TIME     OF    HIS     VACANCY,    BEING 
FORBID  TO  GO  TO  LONDON,  BY  REASON  OF  THE  PLAGUE. 

Here  lies  old  Hobson  ;  Death  hath  broke  his  girt. 
And  here,  alas !  hath  laid  him  in  the  dirt; 
Or  else  the  ways  being  foul,  twenty  to  one. 
He's  here  stuck  in  a  slough,  and  overthrown. 
'Twas  such  a  shifter,  that  if  truth  were  known. 
Death  was  half  glad  when  he  had  got  him  down  ; 
For  he  had,  any  time  this  ten  years  full, 
Dodged  with  him  betwixt  Caml)ridge  and  the  Bull. 


4'2U  POEirS   ON    SEVEilAL   OCCASION'S. 

Antl  surely  Dcnth  oouM  never  hvxe  prevailed, 

Had  not  his  weekly  course  of  cai-riage  failed ; 

But  lately  finding  liira  so  long  at  home, 

And  thinking  now  his  journey's  end  was  come. 

And  that  he  had  ta'en  up  his  latest  inn, 

la  the  kind  ofhee  of  a  chamberlin 

Showed  him  his  room  where  he  must  lodge  that  night. 

Pulled  off  his  boots,  and  took  away  the  light ; 

If  any  ask  for  him,  it  shall  be  said, 

Hobson  has  supped,  and  's  newly  gone  to  bed. 


XII. 
ANOTHER  ON  THE  SAME. 

Here  lieth  one,  who  did  most  truly  prove 
'  That  he  could  never  die  while  he  could  move ; 
So  hung  his  destiny,  never  to  rot 
While  he  might  still  jog  on  and  keep  his  trot ; 
Made  of  sphere-metal,  never  to  decay 
Until  his  revolution  was  at  stay. 
/  Time  numbers  motion,  yet  (without  a  crime 
',  'Gainst  old  truth)  motion  numbered  out  his  time: 
And  like  an  enghie  moved  with  wheel  and  weight. 
His  principles  being  ceased,  he  ended  straight. 
Rest  that  gives  all  men  life,  gave  bim  his  death. 
And  too  miich  breathing  j)ut  him  out  of  breath  ; 
Nor  were  it  contradiction  to  affirm 
Too  lonsr  vacation  hastened  on  his  term. 
Merely  to  drive  the  time  away  he  sickened, 
Fainted,  and  died,  nor  would  with  ale  be  quickened: 
*'  Nay,"  quoth  he,  on  his  swooning  bed  out-stretehi-'d; 
"  If  I  mayn't  carry,  sure  I'll  ne'er  be  fetched, 
But  vow,  though  the  cross  doctoi*s  all  stood  hearers, 
For  one  carrier  put  down  to  make  six  bearers." 
Ease  Avas  his  chief  disease,  and  to  judge  right, 
He  died  for  heaviness  that  his  cart  w' ent  lifjht : 
His  leisure  told  him  that  his  time  was  come, 
And  lack  of  load  made  his  life  burdensome, 
That  even  to  his  last  bi'eath  (there  l>e  that  say't) 
As  he  were  pressed  to  death,  he  cried  "  More  weight ;  " 


POKAfcS    ON    SEVERAL    OCCASIOXS.  421 

But  liad  liis  cloiiii^s  lasted  as  they  were, 

He  liad  been  an  iinnioital  carrier. 

Obedient  to  the  moon  he  spent  his  date 

In  course  reciprocal,  and  had  his  fate 

Linked  to  the  mutual  flowijig  of  the  seas, 

Yet  (strange  to  think)  his  wain  was  his  increase ; 

His  letters  are  delivered  all  and  gone, 

Only  remains  this  superscription. 


XIII. 
L'ALLEGRO. 
IIence  loathed  Melancholy, 

Of  Cerberus  and  blackest  Midnight  bom. 
In  Stygian  cave  forlorn, 

'Mongst  horrid  shapes,  and  shrieks,  and  sights  unholy 
Find  out  some  uncouth  cell. 

Where  brooding  darkness  spreads  his  jealous  wings, 
And  the  night  raven  sings  ; 

There  under  ebon  shades,  and  low-browed  rocks, 
As  ragged  as  thy  locks, 

In  dark  Cimmerian  desert  ever  dwell. 
But  come  thou  goddess  fair  and  free, 
In  Heaven  ycleped  Euphrosyne, 
And  by  men,  heart-easing  Mirth, 
Whom  lovely  Venus  at  a  birth 
With  two  sister  graces  more 
To  ivy-crowned  Bacchus  bore 
Or  whether  (as  some  sages  sing) 
,  The  frolic  wind  that  breathes  the  spring. 
Zephyr  Avith  Aurora  playing, 
As  he  met  her  once  a  maying, 
There  on  beds  of  violets  blue, 
1  And  fresh-blown  roses  washed  in  dew, 
Filled  her  with  thee  a  daughter  fair, 
So  buxom,  blithe,  and  debonair. 
Haste  thee,  nymjjh,  and  bring  with  thee 
Jest  and  youthful  jollity. 
Quips,  and  cranks,  and  wanton  wiles, 
Nods,  and  becks,  and  wreathed  smiles, 


422  POEMS    ON    SEVERAL   OC'CA^ONS. 

Such  as  hang  on  Hebe's  cheek, 
And  love  to  live  in  dimple  sleek; 
Sport  that  wrinkled  care  derides, 
And  laughter  holding  both  his  sides. 
Come,  and  trip  it  as  you  go 
On  the  light  fantastic  toe. 
And  in  thy  right  hand  lead  with  thee. 
The  mountain  nymph,  sweet  Liberty; 
And  if  I  give  thee  honour  due, 
Mirth,  admit  rae  of  thy  crew. 
To  live  with  her,  and  live  with  thee, 
In  unreproved  pleasiires  free  ; 
To  hear  the  lark  begin  his  Hight, 
And  singing  startle  the  dull  night, 
From  his  watch-tower  in  the  skies, 
Till  the  dappled  dawn  doth  rise  ; 
Then  to  come  in  spite  of  sorrow, 
And  at  my  window  bid  good-morrow, 
Through  the  sweet-briar,  or  the  vine. 
Or  the  twisted  eglantine  : 
While  the  cock  with  lively  din 
Scatters  the  rear  of  darkness  thin, 
And  to  the  stack,  or  the  barn-door, 
Stoutly  struts  his  dames  before  ; 
Oft  listening  how  the  hounds  and  horn 
Cheerly  rouse  the  slumbering  morn. 
From  the  side  of  some  hoar  hill, 
Throutrh  the  liish  wood  echoini?  shrill : 
Some  time  walking  not  unseen 
By  hedge-row  elms,  on  hillocks  green, 
Right  against  the  eastern  gate, 
Where  the  great  sun  begins  his  state. 
Robed  in  flames  and  amber  light, 
The  clouds  in  thousand  liveries  dight 
While  the  plougliman  near  at  hand 
Whistles  o'er  the  furrowed  land. 
And  the  milkmaid  siugeth  blithe, 
And  the  mowei-  whets  his  scythe, 
And  every  shepherd  tells  his  tale 
Under  the  hawthuru  in  the  dale. 


"  While  the  ploughman  near  at  hand 
Whistles  o'er  the  furrow'd  land. 
And  the  milkmaid  singeth  blithe,  ^ 
And  the  mower  whets  his  scythe." 


POEMS    ON    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS.  423 

Straight  mine  eye  liath  caught  new  pleasures 

Whilst  the  lanJskip  round  it  measures, 

Russet  lawns,  and  fallows  gray, 

Where  the  nibbling  flocks  do  stray, 

Mountains  on  whose  barren  breast 

The  labouring  clouds  do  often  rest, 

Meadows  trim  with  daises  pied, 

Shallow  brooks,  and  rivers  wide. 

Towers  and  battlements  it  sees 

Bosomed  high  in  tufted  trees, 

Where  perhaps  some  beauty  lies, 

The  Cynosure  of  neighbouring  eyes. 

Hard  by,  a  cottage  chimney  smokes. 

From  betwixt  two  aged  oaks, 

Where  Corydon  and  Thyrsis  met, 

Are  at  their  savoury  dinner  set 

Of  herbs,  and  other'country  messes. 

Which  the  neat-handed  Phillis  dresses ; 

And  then  in  haste  her  bower  she  leaves 

With  Thestylis  to  bind  the  sheaves  j 

Or  if  the  earlier  season  lead 

To  the  tanned  haycock  in  the  mead. 

Sometimes  with  secure  delight 

The  upland  hamlets  will  invite, 

When  the  merry  bells  ring  round, 

And  the  jocund  rebecks  sound 

To  many  a  youth,  aud  many  a  maid, 

Dancing  in  the  chequered  shade  ; 

And  young  and  old  come  forth  to  play 

On  a  sunshine  holy-day, 

Till  the  livelong  daylight  fail ; 

Then  to  the  e])icy  nut-brown  ale, 

With  stories  told  of  many  a  feat. 

How  fairy  Mab  the  junkets  eat, 

She  was  pinched,  and  pulled,  she  said, 

And  he  by  friars'  lanthorn  led, 

Tells  how  the  drudging  goblin  sweat. 

To  earn  his  cream  bowl  duly  set. 

When  in  one  night,  ere  glim})se  of  morn. 

His  shadowy  flail  hath  threshed  the  corn, 


424  POEMS    ox    SEVERAL   OCCASIONS. 

That  ten  day-labourers  could  not  end ; 

Then  lies  him  down  the  lubbar  fiend, 

And  stretched  out  all  the  chimney's  length. 

Basks  at  the  fire  his  hairy  strength, 

And  crop-full  out  of  doors  he  flings, 

Ere  the  first  cock  his  matin  rings. 

Thus  done  the  tales,  to  bed  they  creep, 

By  whispering  winds  sood  lulled  asleep. 

Towered  cities  please  us  then, 

And  the  busy  hum  of  men. 

Where  thronos  of  knights  and  barons  bold 

In  weeds  of  peace  high  triumphs  hold, 

With  store  of  ladies,  whose  bright  eyes 

Rain  influence,  and  judge  the  prize 

Of  Avit,  or  arms,  while  both  contend 

To  win  her  grace,  whom  all  commend. 

There  let  Hymen  oft  appear 

In  saffron  robe,  with  taper  clear, 

And  pomp,  and  feast,  and  revelry, 

W  ilh  mask,  and  antique  pageantry ; 

Such  sights  as  youthful  ]>oets  dream 

On  summer  eves  by  haunted  stream. 

Then  to  the  well-trod  stage  anon, 

If  Jonson's  learned  sock  be  on, 

Or  sweetest  Shakspeare,  fancy's  child, 

Warble  his  native  wood-notes  wild. 

And  ever  against  eating  cares, 

Lap  me  in  soft  Lydian  airs. 

Married  to  immortal  verse, 

Such  as  tiie  meeting  soul  may  pierce 

In  notes,  Avith  many  a  winding  bout 

Of  linked  sweetness  long  drawn  out. 

With  wanton  heed,  and  giddy  cunning,. 

The  melting  voice  through  mazes  running 

Untwisting  all  the  chains  that  tie, 

The  hidden  soul  of  harmony  ; 

That  Orpheus'  self  may  heave  his  head 

From  golden  slumber  on  a  bed 

Of  heaped  Elysian  flowers,  and  hear 

Such  strains  as  would  have  won  the  ear 


POKVS    OW    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS.  425 

Of  Pluto,  to  have  quite  set  free 
His  half  regained  P^urydice. 
These  delights,  if  thou  canst  give, 
Mirth,  with  thee  I  mean  to  live. 


XIV. 
IL  PENSEROSO. 

Hence,  vain  dohiding  joys, 

The  brood  of  folly  without  father  bred ! 
How  little  you  bested, 

Or  fill  the  fixed  mind  with  all  your  toys! 
Dwell  in  some  idle  brain, 

And  fancies  fond  with  gaudy  shapes  possess, 
As  thick  and  numberless 

As  the  gay  motes  that  people  the  sunbeams, 
Or  likest  hovering  dreams, 

The  fickle  pensioners  of  Morpheus'  train. 
But  hail  thou  goddess,  sage  and  holy, 
Hail,  divinest  Melancholy, 
Whose  saintly  Adsage  is  too  bright 
To  hit  the  sense  of  human  sight, 
And  therefore  to  our  weaker  view, 
O'erlaid  with  black,  staid  wisdom's  hue  ; 
Black,  but  such  as  in  esteem 
Prince  Meunion's  sister  might  beseem. 
Or  that  starred  Ethiop  queen  that  strove 
To  set  her  beauty's  praise  above 
The  sea-nymphs,  and  their  powers  offended  : 
Yet  thou  art  higher  far  descended  ; 
Thee,  bright-haired  Vesta  long  of  yore 
To  solitary  Saturn  bore  ; 
Hisdaugliter  she  (in  Saturn's  reign. 
Such  mixture  was  not  held  a  stain). 
Oft  in  glimmering  bowers  and  glades 
He  met  her,  and  in  secret  shades 
Of  woody  Ida's  inmost  grove, 
While  yet  there  was  no  fear  of  Jove. 
Come,  pensive  nun,  devout  and  pure. 
Sober,  stedfast,  and  demure, 


426  POEMS    ON    SEVERAL   OCCASIONS. 

All  in  a  robe  of  darkest  grain, 
Flowing  with  majestic  train, 
And  sable  stole  of  Cyprus  lawn, 
Over  thy  decent  shoulders  drawn. 
Come,  but  keep  thy  wonted  state, 
With  even  step,  and  musing  gait, 
And  looks  commercing  with  the  skies, 
Thy  rapt  soul  sitting  in  thine  eyes : 
There,  held  in  holy  passion  still, 
Forget  thyself  to  marble,  till 
"With  a  sad  leaden  downward  cast 
Thou  fix  them  on  the  earth  as  fast : 
■  And  join  with  thee  calm  Peace,  and  Quiet, 
Spare  Fast,  that  oft  with  gods  doth  diet, 
And  hears  the  Muses  in  a  ring 
Aye  round  about  Jove's  altar  sing ; 
And  add  to  these  retired  Leisure, 
That  in  trim  gardens  takes  his  pleasure ; 
But  first,  and  chiefest,  with  thee  bring 
Him  that  yon  soars  on  golden  wing, 
Guiding  the  fiery-wheeled  throne, 
The  cherub  Contemplation  ; 
And  the  mute  Silence  hist  along, 
'Less  Philomel  will  deign  a  song. 
In  her  sweetest,  saddest  plight, 
Smoothing  the  rugged  brow  of  night. 
While  Cynthia  checks  her  dragon  yoke. 
Gently  o'er  the  accustomed  oak  ; 
Sweet  bird  that  shunn'st  the  noise  of  folly, 
Most  musical,  most  melancholy  ! 
Thee,  chantress,  oft  the  woods  among 
I  woo  to  hear  thy  even-song ; 
And  missing  thee,  I  walk  unseen 
On  the  dry  smooth-shaven  green. 
To  behold  the  wandering  moon. 
Riding  near  her  highest  noon. 
Like  one  that  had  been  led  astray 
Through  the  Heaven's  wide  pathless  way, 
And  oft,  as  if  her  head  she  bowed. 
Stooping  through  a  fleecy  cloud. 


POEMS    ON    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS.  427 

Oft  on  a  plat  of  rising  ground, 

I  hear  the  far-off  curfew  sound, 

Over  some  wide-watered  shore, 

Swinging  slow  with  sullen  roar  ; 

Or  if  the  air  will  not  permit, 

Some  still  removed  place  will  fit. 

Where  gloAving  embers  through  the  room 

Teach  light  to  counterfeit  a  gloom  ; 

Far  from  all  resort  of  mirth, 

Save  the  cricket  on  tlie  hearth, 

Or  the  bellman's  drowsy  charm. 

To  bless  the  doors  from  nightly  harm : 

Or  let  my  lamp  at  midnight  hour. 

Be  seen  in  some  high  lonely  tower, 

Where  I  may  oft  outwatch  the  Bear, 

With  thrice  great  Hermes,  or  unsphere 

The  spirit  of  Plato  to  unfold 

What  worlds,  or  what  vast  regions  hold 

The  immortal  mind  that  hath  forsook 

Her  mansion  in  this  fleshly  nook; 

And  of  those  demons  that  are  found 

In  fire,  air,  flood,  or  under  ground, 

Whose  power  hath  a  true  consent 

With  planet  or  with  element. 

Sometime  let  gorgeous  tragedy 

In  sce])tred  pall  come  sweeping  by, 

Presenting  Thebes,  or  Pelops'  line, 

Or  the  tale  of  Troy  divine  ; 

Or  what  (though  rare)  of  later  age 

Ennobled  hath  the  buskined  stage. 

But  oh,  sad  virgin,  that  thy  power 

Might  raise  Musffius  from  his  bower! 

Or  bid  the  soul  of  Orpheus  sing 

Such  notes  as  warbled  to  the  string. 

Drew  iron  tears  down  Pluto's  cheek, 

And  made  Hell  grant  what  love  did  seek. 

Or  call  up  him  that  left  half  told 

The  story  of  Cambuscan  bold. 

Of  Camball,  and  of  Algarsife, 

And  who  had  Canace  to  wife. 


428  POEMS    ON    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS. 

That  owned  the  virtuous  ring  and  glass. 

And  of  the  wondrous  horse  of  brass, 

On  Avhich  the  Tartar  king  did  ride ; 

And  if  aught  else  great  bards  beside 

In  sage  and  solemn  tunes  have  sung, 

Of  turneys  and  of  trophies  hung. 

Of  forests  and  enchantments  drear, 

Where  more  is  meant  than  meets  the  ear. 

Thus  night  oft  see  me  in  tliy  pale  career, 

Till  civil-suited  morn  appear. 

Not  trickt  and  frounct  as  she  was  wont 

With  the  Attic  boy  to  hunt. 

But  kercliiefed  in  a  comely  cloud, 

While  rocking  Avinds  are  piping  loud, 

Or  ushered  with  a  shower  still, 

When  the  gust  hath  blown  his  fill, 

Ending  on  the  rustling  leaves. 

With  minute  drops  from  off  the  eaves. 

And  Avhen  tlie  sun  begins  to  fling 

His  flaring  beams,  me,  goddess,  bring 

To  arched  walks  of  twilight  groves, 

And  shadows  brown,  tliat  Sylvan  ]ovor=, 

Of  pine,  or  monumental  oak. 

Where  the  rude  axe  with  heaved  stroke 

Was  never  heard  the  nymphs  to  daunt, 

Or  fright  them  from  tlieir  liallowed  hauuta 

There  in  closed  covert  by  some  brook, 

Where  no  profaner  eye  may  look. 

Hide  me  from  day's  garish  eye, 

Wliile  the  bee  with  honeyed  tlii^h, 

That  at  lier  flowery  work  doth  sing, 

And  the  waters  murmuring, 

With  such  consort  as  they  keep, 

Entice  the  dewy-feathered  sleep  ; 

And  let  some  strange  mysterious  dream 

Wave  at  liis  wings  in  airy  stream 

Of  lively  portraiture  displayed, 

Softly  on  my  eyelids  laid. 

And  as  I  wake,  sweet  music  breatho 

Above,  about,  or  underneatii, 


POKlfS   ON    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS.  429 

Sent  by  some  spirit  to  mortals  good. 

Or  the  unseen  genius  of  tlie  wood. 

But  let  my  due  feet  Tievcr  fail 

To  walk  the  studious  cloister's  pale. 

And  love  the  high  embowcd  roof, 

With  antic  pillars  massy  proof, 

And  storied  windows  riclily  dight, 

Casting  a  dim  religious  light. 

There  let  the  pealing  organ  blow. 

To  the  full-voiced  quire  below, 

In  service  high,  and  anthems  clear, 

As  may  with  sweetness,  through  mine  ear. 

Dissolve  me  into  ecstasies. 

And  bring  all  Heaven  before  my  eyes. 

And  may  at  last  my  weary  age 

Find  out  the  peaceful  hermitage. 

The  hairy  gown  and  mossy  cell. 

Where  I  may  sit  and  rightly  spell 

Of  every  star  that  Heaven  doth  shew, 

And  every  herb  that  sips  the  dew ; 

Till  old  experience  do  attain 

To  something  like  prophetic  strain. 

These  pleasures,  Melancholy,  give, 

And  I  with  thee  will  choose  to  live 


XV. 

ARCADES. 

[Part  of  an  entertainment  jiresented  to  the  Countess  Dowager  of  Derbr. 
at  Harctield,  by  some  noble  [lersous  of  her  family,  avITo  appear  oii 
the  scene  in  the  pastoral  habit,  moving  toward  the  seat  of  state,  with 
thiflsong.j 

Song  I. 

Look,  nymphs,  and  shepherds  look, 
What  sudden  blaze  of  majesty 
Is  that  M'hich  we  from  hence  descry. 
Too  divine  to  be  mistook  : 

This,  this  is  she 
To  whom  our  views  and  wishes  bend ; 
Here  our  solemn  search  hath  end. 


430  POEMS    ox    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS. 

Fame,  that  her  higli  worth  to  raise, 
Seemed  erst  so  lavish  and  profuse, 
We  may  justly  now  accuse 
Of  detraction  from  her  praise  ; 

Less  than  half  we  find  expressed, 

Envy  bid  conceal  the  rest. 

Mark  what  radiant  state  she  spreads. 
In  circle  round  her  shining  throne, 
Shooting  her  beams  like  silver  threads  ♦ 
This,  this  is  she  alone, 

Sitting  like  a  goddess  bright, 

In  the  centre  of  her  light. 

Might  she  the  wise  Latoua  be, 
Or  the  towered  Cybele, 
Mother  of  a  hundred  gods  ? 
Juno  dares  not  give  her  odds; 

Who  had  thought  this  clime  had  held 

A  deity  so  unparalled? 

(As  they  come  forward,  the  Genius  of  the  wood  appears,  and  turning 

towards  them,  speaks.] 

GENIUS. 

Stay,  gentle  swains,  for  though  in  this  disguise, 

I  see  bright  honour  sparkle  through  your  eyes ; 

Of  famous  Arcady  ye  are,  and  sprung 
XOf  that  renowned  flood,  so  often  sung, 

Divine  Alpheus,  who  by  secret  sluice 

Stole  under  seas  to  meet  his  Arethuse  ; 

And  ye,  the  breathing  roses  of  the  wood. 

Fair  silver-buskin ed  nymphs  as  great  and  goodj 
^I  know  this  quest  of  yours,  and  free  intent, 

Was  all  in  honour  and  devotion  meant 

To  the  great  mistress  of  yon  princely  shrine. 

Whom  with  low  reverence  I  adore  as  mine, 

And  with  all  helpful  sei'vice  will  comply 

To  further  this  night's  glad  solemnity  ; 

And  lead  ye  where  ye  may  more  near  behold 

What  shallow-searching  fame  hath  left  untold ; 

Which  I  full  oft  amidst  these  shades  alone 

Have  sat  to  wonder  at,  and  gaze  upon  : 


POEMS    021    SEVERAL    OrCASIONS.  431 

know  by  lot  from  Jove  I  am  the  power 
Of  this  fair  wood,  and  live  in  oaken  bower, 
To  nurse  the  saplings  tall,  and  curl  the  grove 
With  ringlets  quaint,  and  wanton  windings  wove. 
And  all  my  plants  I  save  from  nightly  ill 
Of  noisome  winds,  and  bla,sting  vapours  chill; 
And  from  the  boughs  brush  off  the  evil  dew, 
And  heal  the  harms  of  thwarting  thunder  blue, 
Or  what  the  cross  dire -looking  planet  smites, 
Or  hurtful  worm  with  cankered  venom  bites. 
When  evening  gray  doth  rise,  I  fetch  my  round 
Over  the  mount,  and  all  this  hallowed  ground, 
And  early,  ere  the  odorous  breath  of  morn 
Awakes  the  slumbering  leaves,  or  tasselled  horn 
Shakes  the  high  thicket,  haste  I  all  about, 
Number  my  ranks,  and  visit  eveiy  sprout 
With  puissant  words,  and  murmurs  made  to  bless  { 
But  else  in  deep  of  night,  when  drowsiness 
Hath  locked  up  mortal  sense,  then  listen  I 
To  the  celestial  sirens'  harmony, 
That  sit  upon  the  nine  enfolded  spheres, 
And  smg  to  those  that  hold  the  vital  shears, 
And  turn  the  adamantine  spindle  round. 
On  which  the  fate  of  gods  and  men  is- wound. 
Such  sweet  compulsion  doth  in  music  lie, 
To  lull  the  daughters  of  Necessity, 
And  Keep  unsteady  Nature  to  her  law. 
And  the  low  world  in  measured  motion  draw 
After  the  heavenly  tune,  which  none  can  hear 
Of  human  mould  with  gross  unpurged  ear ; 
And  yet  such  music  worthiest  were  to  blaze 
The  peerless  height  of  her  immortal  praise, 
Whose  lustre  leads  us,  and  for  her  most  fit, 
If  my  inferior  hand  or  voice  could  hit 
Inimitable  sounds ;  yet  as  we  go, 
Whate'er  the  skill  of  lesser  gods  can  show, 
I  will  assay,  her  worth  to  celebrate. 
And  so  attend  ye  toward  her  glittering  state; 
Where  ye  may  all,  that  are  of  noble  stem, 
Approach,  and  kiss  her  saored  vesture's  hem. 


482  rOBlVfS    on    SEVEHAt    OCCASIONS. 

Song  II. 

O'er  the  smooth  enamelled  green. 
Where  no  print  of  step  hath  been. 

Follow  me,  as  I  sin^, 

And  touch  the  warbled  strmg, 
Under  the  shady  roof 
Of  branching  elm  star-proof. 

Follow  me, 
J  will  bring  you  where  she  sits, 
Clad  in  splendour  as  befits 

Her  deity. 
Such  a  rural  queen 
All  Arcadia  hath  not  seen. 

Song  III. 

Nymphs  and  shepherds  dance  no  more 

By  sandy  Ladon's  lilied  banks. 
On  old  Lycjeus  or  Cyllene  hoar 

Trip  no  more  in  twilight  ranks. 
Though  Erymanth  your  loss  deplore, 

A  better  soil  shall  give  ye  thanks. 
From  the  stony  Mfenalus 
Bring  your  flocks,  and  live  with  us ; 
Here  ye  shall  have  greater  grace, 
To  serve  the  lady  of  this  place ; 
Though  Syrinx  your  Pan's  mistress  were. 
Yet  Syrinx  well  might  wait  on  her. 
Such  a  rural  queen 
All  Arcadia  hath  not  seen. 


XVI. 

A  MASK,  PRESENTED  AT  LUDLOW  CASTLE,  1634,  BEFORE 
THE  EAKL  OF  BRLDGEWATER,  THEN  PRESIDENT  OF 
"WALES. 


The  Mask  was  presented  in  1634,  and  consequently  in  the  twenty-sixth 
year  of  our  author's  age.  In  the  title-page  of  the  first  edition,  printed 
m  1637,  it  is  said  that  it  was  presented  on  Michaelmas  flight,  and  there 
was  this  motto : — 

"  Eheu  quid  volui  misero  mihi !  floribus  austrum 
I'erditus." 

In  this  edition,  and  in  that  of  Milton's  poems  in  1645,  there  was  pre- 
fixed to  the  Mask  the  following  dedication : — 

To  THE  Right  Honourable  Lord  John  Viscount  Bracklt,  Son  and 
Heir  Apparent  to  the  Earl  of  Bridgewater,  &c. 

Mt  Lord, — This  poem,  which  received  its  first  occa^ 
sion  of  birth  from  yourself  and  otliers  of  your  noble 
family,  and  much  honour  from  your  own  person  in  the 
performance,  now  returns  again  to  make  a  final  dedica- 
tion of  itself  to  you.  Although  not  openly  acknowledged 
by  the  author,  yet  it  is  a  legitimate  offspring,  so  lovely, 
and  so  much  desired,  that  the  often  copying  of  it  hath 
tired  my  pen  to  give  my  several  friends  satisfaction,  and 
brought  me  to  a  necessity  of  producing  it  to  the  public 
view  ;  and  now  to  offer  it  up  in  all  rightful  devotion  to 
those  fair  hopes,  and  rare  endowments  of  your  much  prom- 
ising youth,  which  give  a  full  assurance,  to  all  tliat  know 
vou,  of  a  future  excellence.  Live,  sweet  lord,  to  be  the 
honour  of  your  name,  and  receive  this  as  your  own,  from 

28  (433) 


434  coMus. 

the  hands  of  him,  who  hath  by  many  favours  been  long 
obliged  to  your  most  honoured  parents,  and  as  in  this 
representation  your  attendant  Thyrsis,  so  now  in  all  real 
expression 

Your  faithful  and  most 

humble  servant, 

H.  Lawes, 

rrn  the  edition  of  1645  was  also  prefiiad  Sir  Henry  Wotton's  lettor  to  tha 
aamor  upon  the  following  poeia. ) 


THE   PERSONS. 

The  Attendant  Spirit,  afterwardi 

in  the  habit  of  Thyrsis. 
CoMus,  with  his  crew. 
The  Lady. 
FirSt  Brother. 
Second  Brother. 
Sabrina,  the  Nymph. 

The  Chief  Persons  who  presented  wer€" 

The  Lord  Brackly. 

Mr.  Thomas  Egerton,  his  Brother, 

The  Lady  Alice  Egerton. 


[The  first  scene  discovers  a  wild  wood.    Tlic  Attendant  Spikit  deeoente 

or  enters.] 

ATTENDANT    SPIRIT. 

Before  the  starry  threshold  of  Jove's  court 

My  mansion  is,  where  those  immortal  shapes 

Of  bright  aerial  spirits  live  insphered 

In  regions  mild  of  calm  and  serene  air. 

Above  the  smoke  and  stir  of  this  dim  spot. 

Which  men  call  Earth ;  and  with  low-tlioughted  care 

Confined,  and  pestered  in  this  pinfold  here, 


COMU9.  435 

Strive  ta  keep  up  a  frail  and  feverish  being, 
Unmindful  or  the  crown  that  virtue  gives, 
After  this  mortal  change  to  her  true  servants, 
Amongst  the  enthroned  gods  on  sainted  seats. 
Yet  some  there  be,  that  by  due  steps  aspire 
To  lay  their  just  hands  on  that  golden  key, 
That  opes  the  palace  of  eternity  : 
To  such  my  errand  is  ;  jand  but  for  such, 
I  would  not  soil  these  pure  ambrosial  weeds 
With  the  rank  vapours  of  this  sin-worn  mould. 

But  to  my  task.     Neptune,  besides  the  sway 
Of  every  salt  flood,  and  each  ebbing  stream, 
Took  in  by  lot  'twixt  high  and  nether  Jove 
Imperial  rule  of  all  the  sea-girt  isles, 
That,  like  to  rich  and  various  gems,  inlay 
The  unadorned  bosom  of  the  deep : 
Which  he,  to  grace  his  tributary  gods, 
By  course  conimits  to  several  government. 
And  gives  them  leave  to  wear  their  sapphire  crowns, 
And  Avield  their  little  tridents  ;  but  tliis  isle, 
The  greatest  and  the  best  of  all  the  main, 
He  quarters  to  his  blue-haired  deities  ; 
And  all  this  tract  thut  fronts  the  falling  sun 
A  noble  peer  of  mickle  trust  and  power 
Has  in  his  charge,  with  tempered  awe  to  guide 
An  old  and  haughty  nation,  proud  in  arms : 
Where  his  fair  offspring  nursed  in  princely  lore, 
Are  coming  to  attend  their  father's  state, 
And  new-entrusted  sceptre  ;  but  their  way 
Lies  through  the  p6rplexed  ])aths  of  this  drear  wood. 
The  nodding  horror  of  whose  shady  brows 
Threats  the  forlorn  and  wandering  ])assenger ; 
And  here  their  tender  age  might  suffer  peril. 
But  that  by  quick  command  from  sovran  Jove 
I  was  despatched  for  their  defence  and  guard  : 
And  listen  why ;  for  I  will  tell  you  now 
What  never  yet  was  heard  in  tale  or  song, 
From  old  or  modern  bard,  in  hall  or  bower. 

Bacchus,  that  first  from  out  the  purple  gTap^ 
Crushed  the  sweet  poison  of  misused  wine, 


486  coMus. 

After  the  Tuscan  mariners  tninsformed, 

Coasting  the  Tyrrhene  shore,  as  tlie  winds  listed, 

On  Circe's  island  fell  (who  knows  not  Circe, 

The  daughter  of  the  sun,  whose  charmed  cup 

Whoever  tasted  lost  his  upright  shape. 

And  downward  fell  into  a  grovelling  swine  ?)  : 

This  nymph,  that  gazed  upon  his  clustering  locks 

With  ivy  berries  Avreathed,  and  his  blithe  youth, 

Had  by  him,  ere  he  parted  thence,  a  son 

Much  like  his  father,  but  his  mother  more, 

Whom  therefere  she  brought  u]i,  and  Comus  named; 

Who,  rijje  and  frolic  of  his  full-grown  age, 

Roving  the  Celtic  and  Iberian  fields. 

At  last  betakes  him  to  this  ominous  Avood ; 

And,  in  thick  shelter  of  black  shades  embowered, 

Excels  his  mother  at  her  mighty  art. 

Offering  to  every  weary  traveller 

His  orient  liquor  in  a  crystal  glass, 

To  quench  the  drouth  of  Phoebus  ;  which,  as  they  taste 

(For  most  do  taste  through  fond  intemperate  thirst), 

Soon  as  the  potion  works,  their  human  countenance, 

The  express  resemblance  of  the  gods,  is  changed 

Into  some  brutish  form  of  wolf,  or  bear, 

Or  oiince,  or  tiger,  hog,  or  bearded  goat. 

All  other  parts  remaining  as  they  were ; 

And  they,  so  perfect  is  their  misery, 

Not  once  perceive  their  foul  disfigurement. 

But  boast  themselves  more  comely  than  before ; 

And  all  their  friends  and  native  home  forget. 

To  roll  with  pleasure  in  a  sensual  sty. 

Therefore  when  any,  favoured  of  high  Jove, 

Chances  to  pass  through  this  adventurous  glade, 

Swift  as  the  sparkle  of  a  glancing  star 

I  shoot  from  Heaven,  to  give  him  safe  convoy, 

As  now  I  do ;  but  first  I  must  put  off 

These  my  sky  robes  spun  out  of  Iris'  woof, 

And  take  the  weeds  and  likeness  of  a  swain. 

That  to  the  service  of  this  house  belongs. 

Who,  with  his  soft  pipe  and  smooth-dittied  song, 

Well  knows  to  still  the  wild  winds  when  they  roar. 


coircrs.  437 

And  hush  the  waving  woods ;  nor  of  less  faith, 
And  in  this  office  of  liis  mountain  watch, 
Likeliest,  and  nearest  to  the  present  aid 
Of  this  occasion.     But  I  hear  the  tread 
Of  hateful  steps !  I  must  be  viewless  now. 

[CoMua  enters  with  a  charming  rod  in  one  hand,  his  glass  in  tho  other; 
with  him  a  rout  of  monsters,  lieaded  like  sundry  sorts  of  wild  beasts,  but 
otherwise  like  men  and  women,  their  apparel  glistering;  they  <ouie  io 
making  a  riotous  and  unruly  noise,  with  their  torches  iu  tlieir  hands.] 

COMUS. 

The  star  that  bids  the  shepherd  fold, 
Now  the  top  of  Heaven  doth  hold ; 
And  the  gilded  car  of  day 
His  glowing  axle  doth  allay 
In  the  steep  Atlantic  stream; 
And  the  slope  sun  his  upward  beam 
Shoots  against  the  dusky  pole, 
Pacing  toward  the  other  goal 
Of  his  chamber  in  the  east. 
Meanwhile  welcome  joy  and  feast, 
Midnight  shout  and  revelry. 
Tipsy  dance  and  jollity. 
Braid  your  locks  with  rosy  twine. 
Dropping  odours,  dropping  wine. 
Rigour  now  is  gone  to  bed, 
And  advice  with  scrupulous  head. 
Strict  age,  and  sour  severity, 
With  their  grave  saws  in  slumber  lie. 
"We,  that  are  of  purer  fire, 
Imitate  the  starry  quire  ; 
Who,  in  their  nightly  watchful  spheres, 
Lead  in  swift  round  the  montlis  and  years. 
The  sounds  and  seas,  with  all  their  finny  drove, 
Now  to  the  moon  in  wavering  morrice  move ; 
And,  on  the  tawny  sands  and  shelves, 
Trip  tlie  pert  fairies  and  tho  dapper  elves. 
By  dimpled  brook,  and  fountain  brim. 
The  wood-nymphs,  decked  with  daisies  trim. 
Their  merry  wakes  and  ])astimes  keep  ; 
What  hath  night  to  do  with  sleep  ? 
Night  hath  better  sweets  to  prove. 


438  coMcs. 

Venus  now  wakes,  and  wakens  Love. 

Come,  let  us  our  rites  begin  ; 

'Tis  only  daylight  that  makes  sin, 

"Which  these  dun  shades  will  ne'er  report. 

Hail,  goddess  of  nocturnal  sport, 

Dark-veiled  Cotytto  !  to  whom  the  secret  flame 

Of  midnight  torches  burns  ;  mysterious  dame. 

That  ne'er  art  called,  but  when  the  dragon  womb 

Of  Stygian  darkness  spets  her  thickest  gloom, 

And  makes  one  blot  of  all  the  air ; 

Stay  thy  cloudy  ebon  chair, 

Wherein  thou  rid'st  with  Hecat,  and  befriend 

Us  thy  vowed  priests,  till  utmost  end 

Of  all  thy  dues  be  done,  and  none  left  out ; 

Ere  the  blabbing  eastern  scout. 

The  nice  morn,  on  the  Indian  steep 

From  her  cabined  loophole  peep. 

And  to  the  tell-tale  sun  descry 

Our  concealed  solemnity. 

Come,  knit  hands,  and  beat  the  ground, 

In  a  light  fantastic  round. 

The  Measure. 
Break  off,  break  off,  I  feel  the  different  pace 
Of  some  chaste  footing  near  about  this  ground. 
Run  to  your  shrouds,  within  these  brakes  and  trees ; 
Our  number  may  affright :  some  virgin  sure 
(For  so  I  can  distinguish  by  mine  art) 
Benighted  in  these  woods.     Now  to  my  channs, 
And  to  my  wily  trains  :  I  shall,  ere  long. 
Be  well  stocked  with  as  fair  a  herd  as  grazed 
About  my  mother  Circe.     Thus  I  hurl 
My  dazzling  spells  into  the  spongy  air, 
Of  power  to  cheat  the  eye  with  blear  illusion, 
And  give  it  false  presentments,  lest  the  place 
And  my  quaint  habits  breed  astonishment, 
And  put  the  damsel  to  suspicious  flight, 
Which  must  not  be,  for  that's  against  my  course ; 
I,  under  fair  pretence  of  friendly  ends, 
And  well-placed  words  of  glozing  courtesy. 
Baited  with  reasons  not  unplausible, 


COilLS.  -i'^d 

Wind  me  into  the  easy-hearted  man, 

And  hug  lihn  hilo  snares.     When  once  her  eye 

Hath  met  the  virtue  of  this  magic  dust, 

I  shall  appear  some  liarmless  villager, 

Whom  tnrift  keeps  up  about  his  country  gear. 

But  here  she  comes  ;  I  fairly  step  aside. 

And  hearken,  if  I  may,  her  business  here. 

[The  Lady  enters.] 
LADY. 

This  way  the  noise  was,  if  mine  ear  be  true, 
My  best  guide  now  :  mcthought  it  was  the  sound 
Of  riot  and  ill-managed  merriment. 
Such  as  the  jocund  flute,  or  gamesome  pipe, 
Stirs  up  among  the  loose  unlettered  hinds, 
When,  for  their  teeming  flocks,  and  granges  full, 
In  wanton  dance  they  praise  the  bounteous  Pan, 
And  thank  the  gods  amiss.     I  should  be  loth 
To  meet  the  rudeness  and  swilled  insolence 
Of  such  late  wassailers  ;  yet  oh  !  where  else 
Shall  I  inform  my  unacquainted  feet 
In  the  blind  mazes  of  this  tangled  wood  ? 
My  brothers,  when  they  saw  me  Avearied  out 
With  this  long  way,  resolving  here  to  lodge 
Under  the  spreading  favour  of  these  jnnes, 
Stepped,  as  they  said,  to  the  next  thicket  side, 
To  bring  me  berries,  or  such  cooling  fruit 
As  tlie  kind  hospitable  woods  provide. 
They  left  me  then,  when  the  gray-hooded  even, 
Like  a  sad  votarist  in  palmer's  weed, 
Rose  from  the  hindmost  Avheels  of  Phoebus'  wain. 
But  where  they  are,  and  why  they  came  not  back, 
Is  now  the  labour  of  my  thoughts ;  'tis  likeliest 
They  had  engaged  their  wandering  steps  too  far, 
And  envious  darkness,  ere  they  could  return. 
Had  stole  them  from  me  ;  else,  O  thievish  night ! 
Why  shouldst  thou,  but  for  some  felonious  end, 
In  thy  dark  lanthorn  thus  close  up  the  stars, 
That  natui-e  hung  in  Heaven,  and  filled  their  lamps 
With  everlasting  t)il,  to  give  due  light 
To  the  misled  and  lonely  ti-aveller? 


440  coMus. 

This  is  the  place,  as  well  as  I  may  guess, 

Whence  even  now  the  tumult  of  loud  mirth 

Was  rife,  and  perfect  in  my  listening  ear ; 

yet  nought  but  single  darkness  do  1  find. 

What  might  this  be  ?     A  thousand  fantasies 

Begin  to  throng  into  my  memory, 

Of  calling  shapes,  and  beckoning  shadows  dire, 

And  airy  tongues,  tliat  syllable  men's  names 

On  sands,  and  shores,  and  desert  wildernesses. 

These  thoughts  may  startle  well,  but  not  astound, 

The  virtuous  mmd,  that  ever  walks  attended 

By  a  strong  siding  champion,  conscience. 

Oh,  welcome,  pure-eyed  faith,  white-lianded  hope, 

Thou  hovering  angel  girt  with  golden  wings, 

And  thou  unblemished  form  of  chastity  ! 

I  see  ye  visibly,  and  now  believe 

That  he,  the  Supreme  Good,  to  whom  all  things  ill 

Are  but  as  slavish  officers  of  vengeance. 

Would  send  a  glistering  guardian,  if  need  were, 

To  keep  my  life  and  honour  unassailed. 

Was  I  deceived,  or  did  a  sable  cloud 

Turn  forth  her  silver  lining  on  the  night  ? 

I  did  not  err,  there  does  a  sable  cloud 

Turn  forth  her  silver  lining  on  the  night, 

And  casts  a  gleam  over  this  tufted  grove : 

I  cannot  halloo  to  my  brothers,  but 

Such  noise  as  I  can  make  to  be  heard  farthest 

I'll  venture,  for  my  new  enlivened  spirits 

Prompt  me ;  and  they  perhaps  are  not  far  off. 

Song. 
Sweet  Echo,  sweetest  nymph,  that  liv'st  unseen 

Within  thy  airy  shell, 

By  slow  Meander's  margent  green, 
And  in  the  violet-embroidered  vale. 

Where  the  love-lorn  nightingale 
Nightly  to  thee  her  sad  song  mourneth  well; 
Canst  thou  not  tell  me  of  a  gentle  pair 

That  likest  thy  Narcissus  are  ? 
Oh !  if  thou  have 

Hid  them  in  some  flowery  cave, 


coMua.  441 

Tell  me  hut  Where, 
Sweet  queeji  of  parley,  daughter  of  the  sphere, 
So  raayst  thou  be  translated  to  the  skies, 
And  give  resounding  grace  to  all  Heaven's  harmo 

COMUS. 

Can  any  mortal  mixture  of  earth's  mould 
Breathe  such  divine  enchanting  ravishment  ? 
Sure  something  holy  lodges  in  that  breast. 
And  with  these  raptures  moves  the  vocal  air 
To  testify  his  hidden  residence : 
How  sweetly  did  they  float  upon  the  wings 
Of  silence,  through  the  empty-vaulted  night, 
At  every  fall  smoothing  the  raven  down 
Of  darkness  till  it  smiled  !     I  have  oft  heard 
My  mother  Circe  with  the  Sirens  three, 
Amidst  the  flowery-kirtled  Naiades 
Culling  their  potent  herbs  and  baleful  drugs, 
Who,  as  they  sung,  would  take  the  prisoned  soul 
And  lap  it  in  Elysium  :  Scylla  wept, 
And  chid  her  barking  waves  into  attention. 
And  fell  Charybdis  murmured  soft  applause; 
Yet  they  in  pleasing  slumber  lulled  the  sense, 
And  in  sweet  madness  robbed  it  of  itself ; 
But  such  a  sacred  and  home-felt  delight. 
Such  sober  certainty  of  waking  bliss, 
I  never  heard  tiU  now.     I'll  speak  to  her, 
And  she  shall  be  my  queen.     Hail,  foreign  wonder  I 
Whom  certain  these  rough  shades  did  never  breed, 
Unless  the  goddess  that  in  rural  shrine 
Dwell'st  here  with  Pan,  or  Sylvan  ;  by  blest  song 
Forbidding  every  bleak  unkindly  fog 
To  touch  the  prosperous  growth  of  this  tall  wood. 

LADY. 

Nay,  gentle  shepherd,  ill  is  lost  that  praise 
That  is  addressed  to  unattending  ears  ; 
Not  any  boast  of  skill,  but  extreme  shift 
How  to  regain  my  severed  company. 
Compelled  me  to  awake  the  courteous  Echo 
To  give  me  answer  from  her  mossy  couch. 


442  coMtrs. 

COMUS. 

What  chance,  good  lady,  hath  bereft  you  thus? 

LADY. 

Dim  darkness,  and  this  leafy  labyrinth. 

COMUS. 

Could  that  divide  you  from  near-ushering  guides  P 

LADT. 

They  left  me  weary  on  a  grassy  turf. 

COMUS. 

By  falsehood,  or  discourtesy,  or  why  ? 

LADY. 

To  seek  i'  the  valley  some  cool,  friendly  spring. 

COMUS. 

And  left  your  fair  side  all  unguarded,  lady  ? 

LADY. 

They  were  but  twain,  and  purposed  quick  return. 

COMUS. 

Perhaps  forestalling  night  prevented  them. 

LADY. 

How  easy  my  misfortune  is  to  hit ! 

COMUS.     . 

Imports  their  loss,  beside  the  present  need  ? 

LADY. 

No  less  than  if  I  should  my  brothers  lose. 

COMUS. 

Were  they  of  manly  j^rime,  or  youthful  bloom  ? 

LADY 

As  smooth  as  Hebe's  their  unrazored  lips. 

COMUS. 

Two  such  I  saw,  what  time  the  laboured  ox 
In  his  loose  traces  from  tlie  furrow  came. 
And  the  swiiikt  hedger  at  his  supper  sat; 
I  saw  tlieiu  under  a  green  mantling  vine 
That  crawls  along  the  side  of  yon  small  hill, 
Plucking  ripe  clusters  from  the  tender  shoots; 
Their  port  was  more  than  human,  as  they  stood ; 
I  took  it  for  a  fairy  vision 
Of  some  gay  creatures  of  the  element. 
That  in  the  colours  of  the  rainbow  live, 
And  play  i'  the  plighted  clouds.     I  was  awe-struck, 


coMus.  443 

And,  .18  I  passed,  I  worshipped  ;  if  those  you  seek. 
It  were  a  journey  like  the  path  to  Heaven, 
To  help  you  find  them. 

LADY. 

Gentle  villager, 
What  readiest  way  would  bring  me  to  that  place  ? 

COMUS. 

Due  west  it  rises  from  this  shrubby  point. 

LADY. 

To  find  out  that,  good  shepherd,  I  suppose, 
In  such  a  scant  allowance  of  star-light, 
Would  overtask  the  best  land-pilot's  art, 
Without  the  sure  guess  of  well  practised  feet. 

COMUS. 

I  know  each  lane,  and  every  alloy  green, 
Dingle,  or  bushy  dell  of  this  wild  wood, 
And  every  bosky  bourn  from  side  to  side, 
My  daily  walks  and  ancient  neighbourhood  ; 
And  if  your  stray  attendants  be  yet  lodged. 
Or  shroud  within  these  limits,  I  shall  know 
Ere  morrow  wake,  or  the  low-roosted  lark 
From  her  thatched  pallet  rouse  :  if  otherwise, 
I  can  conduct  you,  lady,  to  a  low 
But  loyal  cottage,  where  you  may  be  safe 
Till  further  quest. 

LADY. 

Shepherd,  I  take  thy  word, 
'And  trust  thy  honest-offered  courtesy. 
Which  oft  is  sooner  found  in  lowly  sheds 
With  smoky  rafters,  than  in  tap'stry  halls 
And  courts  of  princes,  where  it  first  was  named, . 
And  yet  is  most  pretended /in  a  place 
Less  warranted  tlian  this,  or  less  secure, 
I  cannot  be,  that  I  should  fear  to  change  it. 
Eye  me,  blest  Providence,  and  square  my  trial 
To  my  proportioned  strength  !     Shepherd,  lead  on. 

[The  two  Bkothers.] 

ELDER  BEOTHER. 

1  Jnrauffle,  ye  faint  stars  ;  and  thou  fair  moon, 
That  wont'st  to  love  the  traveller's  benizon, 


444  coMus. 

Si()(»|)  thy  pale  visage  through  an  amber  cloud, 

And  disinlicrit  Chaos,  that  reigns  here 

In  double  night  of  darkness  and  of  shades ; 

Or  if  your  influence  be  quite  dammed  up 

With  black  usurping  mists,  some  gentle  taper. 

Though  a  rush-candle  from  the  wicker  hole 

Of  some  clay  habitation,  visit  us 

With  thy  long  levelled  rule  of  streaming  light. 

And  thou  shalt  be  our  star  of  Arcady, 

Or  Tyrian  Cynosure. 

SECOND  BROTHER. 

Or,  if  our  eyes 
Be  barred  that  happiness,  might  we  but  hear 
The  folded  flocks  penned  in  their  wattled  cotes. 
Or  sound  of  pastoral  reed  Avith  oaten  stops, 
Or  whistle  from  the  lodge,  or  village  cock 
Count  the  night  watches  to  his  feathery  dames, 
'Twould  be  some  solace  yet,  some  little  cheering, 
In  this  close  dungeon  of  innumerous  boughs. 
But  oh,  that  hapless  virgin,  our  lost  sister  ! 
Where  may  she  wander  now  ?  whither  betake  her 
From  the  chill  dew,  amongst  rude  burs  and  thistles  ? 
Perhaps  some  cold  bank  is  her  bolster  now  ; 
Or  'gainst  the  rugged  bark  of  some  broad  elm 
Leans  her  unpillowed  head,  fraught  with  sad  fears. 
What  if  in  wild  amazement  and  affright  ? 
Or,  while  we  speak,  within  the  direful  grasp 
Of  savage  hunger,  or  of  savage  heat  ? 

ELDER  BROTHER. 

Peace,  brother  !  be  not  over-exquisite 
To  cast  the  fashion  of  uncertain  evils  ; 
For  grant  they  be  so,  while  they  rest  unknown, 
What  need  a  man  forestall  his  date  of  grief, 
And  run  to  meet  what  he  would  most  avoid  ? 
Or  if  they  be  but  false  alarms  of  fear, 
How  bitter  is  such  self-delusion  ! 
I  do  not  think  my  sister  so  to  seek, 
Or  so  unprincipled  in  virtue's  book, 
And  the  sweet  peace  that  goodness  bosoms  ever, 
As  that  the  single  want  of  light  and  noise 


coMus.  445 

rNot  ho'm<x  in  danger,  hb  I  trust  she  is  not) 
Could  stir  the  constant  mood  of  her  calm  thougts, 
And  j»ut  them  into  misbecoming  plight. 
Virtue  could  see  to  do  Avhat  virtue  would 
By  her  own  radiant  light,  though  sun  and  moon 
Were  in  the  flat  sea  sunk.     And  wisdom's  self 
Oft  seeks  to  sweet  retired  solitude. 
Where,  with  her  best  nurse,  contemplation, 
She  plumes  her  feathers  and  lets  grow  her  wings, 
That  in  the  various  bustle  of  resort 
,Were  all  too  ruflled,  and  sometimes  impaired. 
He  tliat  has  light  within  his  own  clear  breast 
May  sit  i'  the  centre,  and  enjoy  bright  day  ; 
But  he  that  hides  a  dark  soul  and  foul  thoughts, 
Benighted  walks  under  the  midday  sun  ; 
Himself  is  his  own  dunafcon. 

SECOND    BROTIIEK. 

'Tis  most  true, 
That  musing  meditation  most  affects 
The  pensive  secresy  of  desert  cell, 
Far  from  the  cheerful  haunt  of  men  and  herds. 
And  sits  as  safe  as  in  a  senate-house ; 
For  who  M'ould  rob  a  hermit  of  liis  weeds, 
His  few  books,  or  his  beads,  or  maple  dish, 
Or  do  his  gray  hairs  any  violence  ? 
But  beauty,  like  the  fair  Hesperian  tree 
Laden  with  blooming  gold,  hath  need  the  guard 
Of  dragon-watch  with  unenchnntcd  eye. 
To  save  her  blossoms,  and  defend  her  fruit 
From  the  rash  hand  of  bold  incontinence. 
You  may  as  Avell  spread  out  the  unsunned  heaps 
Of  misers'  treasure  by  an  outlaw's  den, 
And  tell  me  it  is  safe,  as  bid  me  hope 
Danger  will  wink  on  opportunity, 
And  let  a  single  helpless  maiden  pass 
Uninjured  in  this  wild  surrounding  waste. 
Of  night,  or  loneliness,  it  recks  me  not ; 
I  fear  the  dread  events  that  dog  them  both. 
Lest  some  ill-greeting  touch  attempt  the  person 
Of  our  unowned  sister. 


446  coMirs. 

KLDER    BROTHER. 

I  do  not,  brother. 
Infer,  as  if  I  thouglit  my  sister's  state 
Secure  without  all  doubt  or  controversy; 
Yet,  where  an  equal  poise  of  hope  and  fear 
Does  arbitrate  the  event,  my  nature  is 
That  I  incline  to  hope  rather  than  fear, 
And  gladly  banish  squint  suspicion. 
My  sister  is  not  so  defenceless  left 
As  you  imagine  :  she  has  hidden  strength 
Which  you  remember  not. 

SECOND    BROTHER. 

What  hidden  strength. 
Unless  the  strength  of  Heaven,  if  you  mean  that  ? 

ELDER    BROTHER. 

I  mean  that  too  ;  but  yet  a  hidden  strength, 
Which,  if  Heaven  gave  it,  may  be  termed  her  own ; 
*Tis  chastity,  my  brother,  chastity  : 
She  that  has  that  is  clad  in  complete  steel, 
And,  like  a  quivered  nymph  with  arrows  keen, 
May  trace  huge  forests,  and  unharboured  heaths. 
Infamous  hills,  and  sandy  perilous  wilds ; 
Where,  through  the  sacred  rays  of  chastity. 
No  savage  fierce,  bandit,  or  mountaineer, 
Will  dare  to  soil  her  virgin  purity  : 
Yea  there,  where  very  desolation  dwells, 
By  grots  and  caverns  shagged  with  horrid  shades. 
She  may  pass  on  with  unblenched  majesty, 
Be  it  not  done  in  pride  or  in  presumption. 
Some  say  no  evil  thing  that  walks  by  night, 
In  fog  or  fire,  by  lake  or  moorish  fen. 
Blue  meagi-e  hag,  or  stubborn  unlaid  ghost 
That  breaks  his  magic  chains  at  curfew  time. 
No  goblin,  or  swart  fairy  of  the  mine, 
Hath  hurtful  power  o'er  true  virginity. 
Do  ye  believe  me  yet?   or  shall  I  call 
Antiquity  from  the  old  schools  of  Greece 
To  testify  the  arms  of  chastity? 
Hence  had  the  huntress  Dian  her  dread  bow, 


coMus  447 

Fair  silver-shafted  queen,  for  eA^er  chaste, 

Wherewith  slie  tamed  the  brinded  lioness 

And  spotted  mountain  pard,  but  set  at  nought 

The  frivolous  bolt  of  Cupid  ;  gods  and  men 

Fear  her  stern  frown,  and  queen  o'  the  woods. 

What  was  that  snaky-headed  Gorgon  shield 

That  wise  Minerva  wore,  unconquered  virgin, 

Wherewith  she  freezed  her  foes  to  congealed  stone 

But  rigid  looks  of  chaste  austerity. 

And  noble  grace,  that  dashed  brute  violence 

With  sudden  adoration  and  blank  awe  ? 

So  dear  to  Heaven  is  sainlly  chastity, 

That  when  a  soul  is  found  sincerely  so, 

A  tho\isand  liveried  angels  lackey  her. 

Driving  far  off  each  thing  of  sin  and  guilt, 

And,  in  clear  dream,  and  solemn  vision. 

Tell  her  of  things  that  no  gross  ear  can  hear; 

Till  oft  converse  with  heavenly  habitants 

Begin  to  cast  a  beam  on  the  outward  shape. 

The  unpolluted  temple  of  the  mind, 

And  turns  it  by  degrees  to  the  soul's  essence, 

Till  all  be  made  immortal ;  but  when  lust, 

By  unchaste  looks,  loose  gestures,  and  foul  talk, 

But  most  by  lewd  and  lavish  act  of  sin. 

Lets  in  defilement  to  the  inward  part, 

The  soul  gi'ows  clotted  by  contagion, 

Embodies,  and  embrutes,  till  she  quite  lose 

The  divine  property  of  her  first  being. 

Such  are  those  thick  and  gloomy  shadows  damp 

Oft  seen  in  chamel  vaults  and  sepulchres 

Lingering,  and  sitting  by  a  new-made  grave, 

As  loth  to  leave  the  body  that  it  loved, 

And  linked  itself  by  carnal  sensuality 

To  a  degenerate  and  degraded  state. 

SECOND    BROTHER. 

How  charming  is  divine  philosophy! 
Not  harsh,  and  crabbed,  as  dull  fools  suppose. 
But  musical  as  is  Apollo's  lute, 
And  a  perpetual  feast  of  nectared  sweets, 
Where  no  crude  surfeit  reigns. 


448  coMus. 

ELDER    BROTHER. 

List,  list !  I  hear 
Some  far  off  halloo  break  the  silent  air. 

SECOND    BROTHER. 

Methought  so  too ;  what  should  it  be  ? 

ELDER    BROTHER. 

For  certain 
Either  some  one  like  us  night-foundered  here, 
Or  else  some  neighbour  woodman,  or,  at  worst, 
Some  roving  robber  calling  to  his  fellows. 

SECOND    BROTHER. 

Heaven  keep  my  sister !     Again,  again,  and  near ; 
Best  draw  and  stand  upon  our  guard. 

ELDER  BROTHER. 

I'll  halloo ; 
If  he  be  friendly,  he  comes  well ;  if  not, 
Defence  is  a  good  cause,  and  Heaven  be  for  us. 

[The  Attendant  Spirit  habited  like  a  Shepherd.] 
That  halloo  I  should  know ;  what  are  you  ?     Speak  I 
Come  not  too  near,  you  fall  on  iron  stakes  else. 

SPIRIT. 

What  voice  is  that  ?    My  young  lord  ?     Speak  again. 

SECOND    BROTHER. 

Thyrsis  ?  whose  artful  strains  have  oft  delayed 
The  huddling  brook  to  hear  his  madrigal. 
And  sweetened  every  musk-rose  of  the  dale. 
How  cam'st  thou  here,  good  swain  ?     Hath  any  ram 
Slipped  from  the  fold,  or  young  kid  lost  his  dam, 
Or  straggling  wether  the  pent  flock  forsook  ? 
How  couldst  thou  find  this  dark  sequestered  nook  ? 

SPIRIT. 

O  my  loved  master's  heir,  and  his  next  joy  I 
I  came  not  here  on  such  a  trivial  toy 
As  a  strayed  ewe,  or  to  pursue  the  stealth 
Of  pilfering  wolf  ;  not  all  the  fleecy  wealth 
That  doth  enrich  these  downs,  is  worth  a  thought 
To  this  my  errand,  and  the  care  it  brought. 
But  oh,  my  virgin  lady  !  where  is  she  ? 
How  chance  she  is  not  in  your  conii)any  ? 


coMus.  449 

ELDER    BROTHER. 

To  tell  thee  sadly,  shepherd,  without  blame, 
Or  our  neglect,  we  lost  her  as  we  came. 

SPIRIT. 

Ay  me  unhappy '  then  my  fears  are  true. 

ELDER    HROTIIER. 

"What  fears,  good  Thyrsis  ?  Pi-ythee  briefly  shew. 

SPIRIT. 

I'll  tell  ye  ;  'tis  not  vain  or  fabulous 
(Though  so  esteemed  by  shallow  ignorance) 
"What  the  sage  poets,  taught  by  the  heavenly  muse, 
Storied  of  old  in  high  immortal  verse, 
Of  dire  chimeras,  and  enchanted  isles, 
Ar  d  rifted  rocks  whose  entrance  leads  to  Hell ; 
For  such  there  be ;  but  unbelief  is  blind. 

Within  the  navel,  of  this  hideous  wood, 
Immured  in  cypress  shades,  a  sorcerer  dwells, 
Of  Bacchus  and  of  Circe  born,  great  Comus, 
Deep  skilled  in  all  his  mother's  witcheries  ; 
And  here  to  every  thirsty  wanderer. 
By  sly  enticement,  gives  his  baneful  cup. 
With  many  murmurs  mixed,  whose  pleasing  poison 
The  visage  quite  transforms  of  him  that  drinks, 
And  the  inglorious  likeness  of  a  beast 
Fixes  instead,  unmoulding  reason's  mintage 
Charactered  in  the  face ;  this  have  I  learnt 
Tending  my  flocks  hard  by  i'  the  hilly  crofts 
That  brow  this  bottom  glade ;  whence  night  by  night 
He  and  his  monstrous  rout  are  heard  to  howl 
Like  stabled  wolves,  or  tigers  at  their  prey, 
Doing  abhorred  rites  to  Hecate 
In  their  obscured  haunts  of  inmost  bowers. 
Yet  have  they  many  baits,  and  guileful  spella 
To  inveigle  and  invite  the  unwary  sense 
Of  them  that  pass  unweeting  by  the  way. 
This  evening  late,  by  then  the  chewing  flocka 
Had  ta'en  their  suj^per  on  the  savoury  herb 
Of  knot-grass  dew-besprent,  and  were  in  fold, 
I  sat  me  down  to  watch  upon  a  bank 
"With  ivy  canopied,  and  interwove 

2ft 


450  coMus. 

With  flaunting  lioneysuckle,  and  began, 

Wrapt  in  a  pleasing  fit  of  melancholy, 

To  meditate  my  rural  minstrelsy, 

Till  fancy  had  her  fill ;  but,  ere  a  close, 

The  wonted  roar  was  up  amidst  the  woods, 

And  filled  the  air  with  barbarous  dissonance ; 

At  which  I  ceased,  and  listened  them  a  while, 

Till  an  unusual  stop  of  sudden  silence 

Gave  respite  to  the  drowsy-flighted  steeds 

Tiiat  draw  the  litter  of  close-curtained  sleep ; 

At  last  a  soft  and  solemn-breathing  sound 

Rose  like  a  steam  of  rich  distilled  perfumes. 

And  stole  upon  the  air,  that  even  Silence 

Was  took  ere  she  was  ware,  and  wished  she  might 

Deny  her  nature,  and  be  never  more 

Still  to  be  so  displaced.     I  was  all  ear. 

And  took  in  strains  that  might  create  a  soul 

Under  the  ribs  of  death  :  but  oh,  ere  long, 

Too  well  I  did  perceive  it  was  the  voice 

Of  my  most  honoured  lady,  your  dear  sister. 

Amazed  I  stood,  harrowed  with  grief  and  fear, 

And  oh,  poor  hapless  nightingale,  thought  I, 

How  sweet  thou  sing'st,  how  near  the  deadly  snare! 

Then  down  the  lawns  I  ran  with  headlong  haste, 

Through  paths  and  turnings  often  trod  by  day, 

Till,  guided  by  mine  ear,  I  found  the  place. 

Where  that  damned  wizard,  hid  in  sly  disguise 

(For  so  by  certain  signs  I  knew),  had  met 

Already,  ere  my  best  speed  could  prevent, 

The  aidless  innocent  lady,  his  wished  prey. 

Who  gently  asked  if  he  had  seen  such  two, 

Supposing  him  some  neighbour  villager. 

Longer  I  durst  not  stay,  but  soon  I  guessed 

Ye  were  the  two  she  meant ;  with  that  I  sprung 

Into  swift  flight,  till  I  had  found  you  here, 

But  further  know  I  not. 

SECOND    BROTHER. 

O  night  and  shades, 
How  are  ye  joined  with  Hell  in  triple  knot 
Against  the  unarmed  weakness  of  one  virgin 


COMUS.  451 

Alone,  and  helpless !     Is  this  the  confidence 
You  gave  me,  brother  ? 

ELDEE   BROTHEE. 

Yes,  and  keep  it  still  j 
Lean  on  it  safely ;  not  a  period 
Shall  be  unsaid  for  me  :  against  the  threats 
Of  malice,  or  of  sorcery,  or  that  power 
Which  erring  men  call  chance,  this  I  hold  firm : 
Virtue  may  be  assailed,  but  never  hurt. 
Surprised  by  unjust  force,  but  not  enthralled  ; 
Yea  even  that  which  mischief  meant  most  harm. 
Shall  in  the  happy  trial  prove  most  glory  : 
J5ut  evil  on  itself  shall  back  recoil. 
And  mix  no  more  with  goodness ;  when  at  last, 
Gathered  like  scum,  and  settled  to  itself, 
It  shall  be  in  eternal  restless  change, 
Self-fed,  and  self-consumed :  if  this  fail, 
The  pillared  firmament  is  rottenness. 
And  earth's  base  built  on  stubble.     But  come,  let's  on. 
Against  the  (apposing  will  and  arm  of  Heaven 
May  never  this  just  sword  be  lifted  up  ! 
But  for  that  damned  magician,  let  him  be  girt 
"With  all  the  grisly  legions  that  troop 
Under  the  sooty  flag  of  Acheron, 
Harpies  and  Hydras,  or  all  the  monstrous  forms 
'Twixt  Africa  and  Ind,  I'll  find  him  out, 
And  force  him  to  restore  his  purchase  back, 
Or  drag  him  by  the  curls  to  a  foul  death, 
Cursed  as  his  life. 

SPIEIT. 

Alas !  good  venturous  youth, 
I  love  thy  courage  yet,  and  bold  emprise ; 
But  here  thy  sword  can  do  thee  little  stead ; 
For  other  arms,  and  other  weapons,  must 
Be  those  that  quell  the  might  of  hellish  charms : 
He  with  his  bare  wand  can  unthread  thy  joints. 
And  crumble  all  thy  sinews. 

ELDEE   BEOTHEK. 

Why  prythee,  shepherd. 


452  coMus. 

How  durst  thou  tlien  thyself  aj^proach  so  near. 
As  to  make  this  relation  ? 

SPIRIT. 

Care  and  utmost  shifts 
How  to  secure  the  lady  from  surprisal, 
Brought  to  ray  mind  a  certain  shej^herd  lad, 
Of  small  regard  to  see  to,  yet  well  skilled 
In  every  virtuous  plant  and  healing  herb 
That  spreads  her  verdant  leaf  to  the  morning  ray : 
He  loved  me  M^ell,  and  oft  would  beg  me  sing, 
Which  when  I  did,  he  on  the  tender  grass 
Would  sit,  and  hearken  even  to  ecstasy, 
And  in  requital  ope  his  leathern  scrip. 
And  show  me  simples  of  a  thousand  names, 
Telling  their  strange  and  vigorous  faculties  : 
Amongst  the  rest  a  small  unsightly  root, 
But  of  divine  effect,  he  culled  me  out ; 
The  leaf  was  darkish,  and  had  prickles  on  it ; 
But  in  another  country,  as  he  said, 
Bore  a  bright  golden  flower,  but  not  in  this  soil : 
Unknown,  and  like  esteemed,  and  the  dull  swain 
Treads  on  it  daily  with  his  clouted  shoon  ; 
And  yet  more  med'cinal  is  it  than  that  moly 
That  Hermes  once  to  wise  Ulysses  gave  ; 
He  called  it  haemony,  and  gaA'^e  it  me. 
And  bade  me  keep  it  as  of  sovran  use 
'Gainst  all  enchantments,  mildew,  blast,  or  damp, 
Or  ghastly  furies'  apparition. 
I  pursed  it  up,  but  little  reckoning  made, 
Till  now  that  this  extremity  compelled  : 
But  now  I  find  it  true  ;  for  by  this  means 
I  knew  the  fou\  enchanter,  though  disguised, 
Entered  the  very  lime-twigs  of  his  spells. 
And  yet  came  off:  if  you  have  this  about  you, 
(As  I  will  give  you  Avhen  we  go)  you  may 
Boldly  assault  the  necromancer's  hall ; 
Where  if  he  be,  with  dauntless  hardihood, 
And  brandished  blade,  rush  on  him  ;  break  his  glass, 
And  shed  the  luscious  liquor  on  the  ground. 
But  seize  his  wand  ;  though  he  and  his  cursed  crew 


C0MU3.  458 

Fierce  sign  of  battle  make,  and  menace  high, 
Or  like  the  sons  of  Vulcan  vomit  smoke, 
Yet  will  they  soon  retire,  if  he  but  shrink. 

ELDER    UROXnER. 

Thyrsis,  lead  on  apace,  I'll  follow  thee ; 
And  some  good  angel  bear  a  shield  before  us  ! 

[The  scene  changes  to  a  stately  palace,  set  out  with  all  manner  of  dellcious- 
«ess  ;  soft  music,  tables  spread  with  all  dainties.  Comus  appears  with 
his  rabble,  and  the  Lady  set  in  an  enchanted  chair,  to  whom  he  oll'era  liis 
glass,  which  she  puts  by,  aud  goes  about  to  rise.] 

COMUS. 

Nay,  lady,  sit ;  if  I  but  wave  this  wand. 
Your  nerves  are  all  chained  up  in  alabaster. 
And  you  a  statue,  or,  as  Daphne  was, 
Root-bound,  that  fled  Apollo. 

LADY. 

Fool !  do  not  boast ; 
Thou  canst  not  touch  the  freedom  of  my  mind 
With  all  thy  charms,  although  this  corporal  rind 
Thou  hast  immanacled,  while  Heaven  sees  good. 

COMUS. 

Why  are  you  vexed,  lady  ?  why  do  you  frown  ? 
Here  dwell  no  frowns,  nor  anger ;  from  these  gates 
Sorrow  flies  far :  see,  here  be  all  the  pleasures 
That  fancy  cati  beget  on  youthful  thoughts. 
When  the  fresh  blood  grows  lively,  and  returns 
Brisk  as  the  April  buds  in  primrose-season. 
And  first  behold  this  cordial  julep  here, 
That  flames  and  dances  in  his  crystal  bounds. 
With  spirit  of  balm  and  fragrant  syrups  mixed. 
Not  that  Nepenthes,  which  the  wife  of  Thone 
In  Egypt  gave  to  Jove-born  Helena, 
Is  of  such  power  to  stir  up  joy  as  this, 
To  life  so  friendly,  or  so  cool  to  thirst. 
Why  should  you  be  so  cruel  to  yourself, 
And  to  those  dainty  limbs  which  Nature  lent 
For  gentle  usage,  and  soft  delicacy  ? 
But  you  invert  the  covenants  of  her  trust, 
jVnd  harshly  deal,  like  an  ill  borrower. 


454  C0MU8. 

With  that  which  you  received  on  other  terms, 
Scorning  the  unexempt  condition 
By  which  all  mortal  frailty  mnst  subsist, 
Refreshment  after  toil,  ease  after  pain, 
That  have  been  tired  all  day  without  repast. 
And  timely  rest  have  wanted ;  but,  fair  virgin, 
This  will  restore  all  soon. 

LADY. 

'Twill  not,  false  traitor ! 
'Twill  not  restore  the  truth  and  honesty 
That  thou  hast  banished  from  thy  tongue  with  lies. 
Was  this  the  cottage,  and  the  safe  abode. 
Thou  told'st  me  of  ?     What  grim  aspects  are  these, 
These  ugly-headed  monsters  ?     Mercy  guard  ine  ! 
Hence  with  thy  brewed  enchantments,  foul  deceiver  I 
Hast  thou  betrayed  my  credulous  innocence 
With  visored  falsehood,  and  base  forgery? 
And  wouldst  thou  seek  again  to  trap  me  here 
With  liquorish  baits  fit  to  ensnare  a  brute? 
Were  it  a  draught  for  Juno  when  she  banquets, 
I  would  not  taste  thy  treasonous  offer;  none 
But  such  as  are  good  men  can  give  good  things, 
And  that  which  is  not  good,  is  not  delicious 
To  a  well-governed  and  wise  appetite. 

COMUS. 

Oh,  foolishness  of  men  !  that  lend  their  ears 
To  those  budge  doctors  of  the  Stoic  fur. 
And  fetch  their  precepts  from  the  Cynic  tub, 
Praising  the  lean  and  sallow  abstinence. 
Wherefore  did  Nature  pour  her  bounties  forth 
With  such  a  full  and  unwithdrawing  hand. 
Covering  the  earth  with  odours,  fruits,  and  flocks, 
Thronging  the  seas  with  spawn  innumerable. 
But  all  to  jilease  and  sate  the  curious  taste  ? 
And  set  to  work  millions  of  sjjinning  worms. 
That  in  their  green  shops  weave  the  smooth-haired  silk 
To  deck  her  sons  ;  and,  that  no  corner  might 
Be  vacant  of  her  plenty,  in  her  own  loins 
She  hutched  the  all-worshipped  ore,  and  precious  gems 
To  store  her  children  with :  if  all  the  world 


C0MU8.  455 

Should  In  a  pet  of  temperance  feed  on  pulse, 

Drink  the  clear  stream,  and  nothing  wear  but  frieze, 

The  All-giver  would  be  unthanked,  would  be  unpraised, 

Not  half  his  riches  known,  and  yet  despised  ; 

And  we  should  serve  him  as  a  grudging  master, 

As  a  penurious  niggard  of  his  wealth, 

And  live  like  Nature's  bastards,  not  her  sons. 

Who  would  be  quite  surcharged  with  her  own  weight, 

And  strangled  with  her  waste  fertility ; 

The  earth  cumbered,  and  the  winged  air  darked  with 

plumes, 
The  herds  would  over-multitude  their  lords, 
The  sea  o'erf raught  would  swell,  and  the  unsought  dia- 
monds 
Would  so  emblaze  the  forehead  of  the  deep. 
And  so  bestud  with  stars,  that  they  below 
Would  grow  inured  to  light,  and  come  at  last 
To  gaze  upon  the  sun  with  shameless  brows. 
List,  lady,  be  not  coy,  and  be  not  cozened 
With  that  same  vaunted  name,  virginity. 
Beauty  is  Nature's  coin,  must  not  be  hoarded, 
JBut  must  be  current ;  and  the  good  thereof 
Consists  in  mutual  and  partaken  bliss, 
Unsavoury  in  the  enjoyment  of  itself  ; 
If  you  let  slip  time,  like  a  neglected  rose 
It  withers  on  the  stalk  with  languished  head. 
Beauty  is  Nature's  brag,  and  must  be  shown 
In  courts,  at  feasts,  and  high  solemnities, 
Where  most  may  wonder  at  the  workmanship  ; 
It  is  for  homely  features  to  keep  home, 
They  had  their  name  thence  ;  coarse  complexiona. 
And  cheeks  of  sorry  grain,  will  serve  to  ply 
The  sampler,  and  to  tease  the  housewife's  wooL 
What  need  a  vermeil-tinctured  lip  for  that. 
Love-darting  eyes,  or  tresses  like  the  morn  ? 
There  was  another  meaning  in  these  gifts  ; 
Think  what,  and  be  advised:  you  are  but  young  yet. 

LADY. 

I  had  not  thought  to  have  unlocked  my  lips 
In  this  unhallowed  air,  but  that  this  juggler 


456  C0MU8. 

Would  think  to  charm  my  judgment,  as  mine  eyea, 

Obtruding  false  rules  prankt  in  reason's  gai'b. 

I  hate  when  vice  can  bolt  her  arguments, 

And  virtue  has  no  tongue  to  check  her  pride. 

Impostor,  do  not  charge  most  innocent  Nature, 

As  if  she  would  her  children  should  be  riotous 

With  her  abundance  ;  she,  good  cateress, 

Means  her  provision  only  to  the  good, 

That  live  according  to  her  sober  laws, 

And  holy  dictate  of  spare  temperance  : 

If  every  just  man,  that  now  pines  with  want, 

Had  but  a  moderate  and  beseeming  share 

Of  that  which  lewdly-pampered  luxury 

Now  heaps  upon  some  few  with  vast  excess. 

Nature's  full  blessings  would  be  well  dispensed 

In  unsuperfluous  even  proportion, 

And  she  no  whit  encumbered  with  her  store ; 

And  then  the  Giver  would  be  better  thanked, 

His  praise  due  paid  ;  for  swinish  gluttony 

Ne'er  looks  to  Heaven  amidst  his  gorgeous  feast, 

But  with  besotted  base  ingratitude 

Crams,  and  blasphemes  his  Feeder.     Shall  I  go  on  ? 

Or  have  I  said  enousfh?     To  him  that  dares 

Arm  his  profane  tongue  with  contemptuous  words 

Against  the  sun-clad  power  of  chastity. 

Fain  would  I  something  say,  yet  to  what  end  ? 

Thou  has  not  ear,  nor  soul,  to  apprehend 

The  sublime  notion,  and  high  mystery. 

That  must  be  uttered  to  unfold  the  sage 

And  serious  doctrine  of  virginity  ; 

And  thou  art  worthy  that  thou  shouldst  not  know 

More  happiness  than  this  thy  present  lot. 

Enjoy  your  dear  wit,  and  gay  rhetoric. 

That  hath  so  Avell  been  taught  her  dazzling  fence. 

Thou  art  not  fit  to  liear  thyself  convinced  ; 

Yet,  should  I  try,  the  uncontrolled  worth 

Of  this  pure  cause  would  kindle  my  rapt  spirits 

To  such  a  flame  of  sacred  vehemence. 

That  dumb  things  would  be  moved  to  sympathize. 

And  the  brute  earth  would  lend  her  nerves,  and  shake, 


COMUB.  4c  7 

Till  nil  thy  magic  structures,  reared  so  high, 
Were  shattered  into  heaps  o'er  thy  false  head. 

COMUS. 

She  fables  not :  I  feel  that  I  do  fear 
Her  words  set  off  by  some  superior  power  ; 
And  though  not  mortal,  yet  a  cold  shuddering  dew 
Dips  me  all  o'er,  as  when  the  wrath  of  Jove 
Speaks  thunder,  and  the  chaijis  of  Erebus, 
To  some  of  Saturn's  crew.     I  must  dissemble. 
And  try  her  yet  more  strongly.     Come,  no  more ; 
This  is  mere  moral  babble,  and  direct 
Against  the  canon  laws  of  our  foundation  ; 
I  must  not  suffer  this,  yet  'tis  but  the  lees 
And  settlings  of  a  melancholy  blood: 
But  this  will  cure  all  straight ;  one  sip  of  this 
Will  bathe  the  drooping  spirits  in  delight 
Beyond  the  bliss  of  dreams.     Be  wise, "and  taste. 

[The  Brothers  rush  in  with  swords  drawn,  wrest  his  glass  out  of  his  hand, 
and  break  it  against  the  ground  :  his  rout  makes  sign  of  resistance,  but 
are  all  driven  in.    The  Attekdakt  Spirit  comes  in.] 

SPIRIT. 

What,  have  you  let  the  false  enchanter  'scape  ? 
Oh  !  ye  mistook,  ye  should  have  snatched  his  wand, 
And  bound  him  fast;  without  his  rod  reversed, 
And  backward  mutters  of  dissevering  power, 
We  cannot  free  the  lady  that  sits  here 
In  stony  fetters  fixed,  and  motionless ; 
Yet  stay,  be  not  disturbed  ;  now  I  bethink  me. 
Some  other  means  I  have  Avhich  may  be  used. 
Which  once  of  Meliboeus  old  I  learnt, 
The  soothest  shepherd  that  e're  piped  on  plains. 

There  is  a  gentle  nymph  not  far  fi'om  hence, 
That  with  moist  curb  sways  the  smooth  Severn  stream, 
Sabrina  is  her  name,  a  virgin  pure  ; 
Whilome  she  was  the  daughter  of  Locrine, 
That  had  the  scej^tre  from  his  father  Brute. 
She,  guiltless  damsel,  flying  the  mad  pursuit 
Of  her  enraged  stepdame  Guendolen, 
Commended  her  fair  innocence  to  the  flood, 
That  staj'-ed  her  flight  with  his  cross-flowing  course 


458  coMus. 

The  water  nymphs  that  in  the  bottom  played. 
Held  up  their  pearled  wrists  and  took  her  in, 
Bearing  her  straight  to  aged  Nereus'  hall, 
Who,  piteous  of  our  woes,  reared  her  lank  head, 
And  gave  her  to  his  daughters  to  embathe 
In  nectared  lavers  strewed  with  asphodel, 
And  through  the  porch  and  inlet  of  each  sense 
Dropped  in  ambrosial  oils  till  she  revived, 
And  underwent  a  quick  immortal  change, 
Made  goddess  of  the  river  :  still  she  retains 
Her  maiden  gentleness,  and  oft  at  eve 
Visits  the  herds  along  the  twilight  meadows, 
Helping  all  urchin  blasts,  and  ill-luck  signs 
That  the  shrewd  meddling  elf  delights  to  make, 
Which  she  with  precious  vialled  liquors  heals  ; 
For  which  the  shepherds  at  their  festivals 
Carol  her  goodness  loud  in  rustic  lays. 
And  throw  sweet  garland  wreaths  into  her  stream 
Of  pansies,  pinks,  and  gaudy  daffodils. 
And,  as  the  old  swain  said,  she  can  unlock 
The  clasping  charm,  and  thaw  the  numbing  spell, 
If  she  be  right  invoked  in  warbled  song ; 
For  maidenhood  she  loves,  and  will  be  swift 
To  aid  a  virgin,  such  as  was  herself. 
In  hard-besetting  need  :  this  will  I  try, 
And  add  the  power  of  some  adjuring  verse. 

Song. 

Sabrina  fair, 

Listen  where  thou  art  sitting 

Under  the  glassy,  cool,  translucent  wave. 
In  twisted  braids  of  lilies  knitting 

The  loose  train  of  tliy  amber-dropping  hair ; 
Listen  for  dear  honour's  sake, 
Goddess  of  the  silver  lake, 
Listen,  and  save. 

Listen,  and  appear  to  us. 

In  name  of  great  Oceanus  ; 

By  the  earth-shaking  Neptune's  mace, 

And  Tethys'  grave  majestic  pace. 

By  hoary  Nereus'  wrinkled  look, 


coMus.  459 

And  the  Carpathian  wizard's  hook. 
By  scaly  Triton's  winding  shell, 
And  old  soothsaying  Glaucus'  spell, 
By  Leucothea's  lovely  hands, 
And  her  son  that  rules  the  strands. 
By  Thetis'  tinsel-slippered  feet, 
And  the  songs  of  sirens  sweet, 
By  dead  Parthenope's  dear  tomb, 
And  fair  Ligea's  golden  comb, 
"Wherewith  she  sits  on  diamond  rocks, 
Sleeking  her  soft  alluring  locks  ; 
By  all  the  nymphs  that  nightly  dance 
Upon  thy  streams  "vvith  wily  glance. 
Rise,  rise,  and  heave  thy  rosy  head 
From  thy  coral-paven  bed, 
And  bridle  in  thy  headlong  wave, 
Till  thou  our  summons  answered  have. 
Listen,  and  save. 

[SABRrNA  rises,  attended  by  water-nymphs,  and  sings.] 

By  the  riishy-fringed  bank. 
Where  grows  the  willow  and  the  osier  dank. 

My  sliding  chariot  stays. 
Thick  set  with  agate,  and  the  azure  sheen 
Of  turkis  blue,  and  emerald  green, 
That  in  the  channel  strays  ; 
Whilst  from  off  the  Avaters  fleet 
Thus  I  set  my  printless  feet 
O'er  the  cowslip's  velvet  head. 
That  bends  not  as  I  tread  ; 
Gentle  swain,  at  thy  request 
I  am  here. 

SPIEIT. 

Goddess  dear. 
We  implore  thy  powerful  hand 
To  undo  the  charmed  band 
Of  true  virgin  here  distressed. 
Through  the  force,  and  through  the  wile. 
Of  unblcst  enchanter  vile. 


460  C0MU8. 

8ABRINA. 

Shepherd,  'tis  my  office  best 
To  help  ensnared  chastity  : 
Brightest  hidy,  look  on  me ; 
Thus  I  sprinkle  on  thy  breast 
Drops,  that  from  my  fountain  pure 
I  have  kept,  of  precious  cure  ; 
Thrice  upon  thy  finger's  tip, 
Thrice  upon  thy  rubied  lip ; 
Next  this  marble  venomed  seat, 
Smeared  with  gums  of  glutinous  heat, 
I  touch  with  chaste  palms  moist  and  cold : 
Now  the  spell  hath  lost  his  hold  ; 
And  I  must  haste,  ere  morning  hour. 
To  wait  in  Amphitrite's  bower. 

[Sabkina  descends,  and  the  Ladt  rises  out  of  her  seat.] 
SPIRIT. 

Virgin,  daughter  of  Locrine, 
Sprung  of  old  Anchises'  line. 
May  thy  brimmed  waves  for  this 
Their  full  tribute  never  miss 
From  a  thousand  i^etty  rills. 
That  tumble  down  the  snowy  hills : 
Summer  drouth,  or  singed  air. 
Never  scorch  thy  tresses  fair. 
Nor  wet  October's  torrent  flood 
Thy  molten  crystal  fill  with  mud : 
lilay  thy  billows  roll  ashore 
The  beryl,  and  the  golden  ore  ; 
May  thy  lofty  head  be  crowned 
With  many  a  tower  and  terrace  round, 
And  here  and  there  thy  banks  upon 
With  groves  of  myrrh  and  cinnamon. 

Come,  lady,  while  Heaven  lends  us  grace, 
Let  us  fly  this  cursed  place, 
Lest  the  sorcerer  us  entice 
With  some  other  new  device. 
Not  a  waste  or  needless  sound 
Till  Ave  come  to  holier  ground  ; 


COMU8.  461 

I  shall  be  your  faithful  guide 

Through  this  gloomy  covert  wide ; 

And  not  many  furlongs  thence 

Is  your  father's  residence, 

Where  this  night  are  met  in  state 

Many  a  friend  to  gratulate 

His  wislied  presence  ;  and,  beside, 

All  the  swains  that  near  abide, 

With  jigs  and  rural  dance  resort : 

We  shall  catch  them  at  their  sport; 

And  our  sudden  coming  there 

Will  double  all  their  mirth  and  cheer. 

Come,  let  us  haste,  the  stars  grow  high, 

But  night  sits  monarch  yet  in  the  mid  sky. 

[The  Scene  change^!,  presenting  Ltuilow  town  and  the  President's  castlo  ; 
then  come  in  country  ilaiicers  ;  after  them  the  Attendaxt  Spieit,  with 
the  two  Bkotheks  and  the  Ladv.] 

Song. 

SPIRIT. 

Back,  shepherds,  back  !  enough  your  play, 
Till  next  sunshine  holiday: 
Here  be,  without  duck  or  nod, 
Other  trippings  to  be  trod 
Of  lighter  toes,  and  such  court  guise 
As  Mercury  did  first  devise, 
With  the  mincing  Dryades, 
On  the  lawns,  and  on  the  leas. 

[This  second  Song  presents  them  to  their  Father  and  Mother.] 

Noble  lord,  and  lady  bright, 

I  have  brought  ye  new  delight; 

Here  behold,  so  goodly  grown, 

Three  fair  branches  of  your  own  ; 

Heaven  hath  timely  tried  their  youth, 

Their  faith,  their  patience,  and  their  truth, 

And  sent  them  here  through  hard  assays 
With  a  crown  of  deathless  praise, 

To  trium])h  in  victorious  dance 
O'er  sensual  folly  and  intemperance. 

[The  dauces  ended,  the  Spirit  epilogulsoa-J 


462  coMus. 

SPIRIT. 

To  the  ocean  now  I  fly, 
And  those  happy  climes  that  lie 
Where  day  never  shuts  his  eye, 
Up  in  tlie  broad  fields  of  the  sky : 
There  I  suck  the  liquid  air 
All  amidst  the  gardens  fair 
Of  Hesperus,  and  his  daughters  three, 
That  sing  about  the  golden  tree : 
Along  the  crisped  shades  and  bowers 
Revels  the  spruce  and  jocund  Spring, 
The  Graces,  and  the  rosy-bosomed  Hours, 
Thither  all  their  bounties  bring : 
There  eternal  Summer  dwells. 
And  west  winds,  with  musky  wing. 
About  the  cedarn  alleys  fling 
Nard  and  cassia's  balmy  smells. 
Iris  there  with  humid  bow 
Waters  the  odorous  banks,  that  blow 
Flowers  of  more  mingled  hue 
Than  her  pui-fled  scarf  can  shew, 
And  drenches  with  Elysian  dew 
(List,  mortals,  if  your  ears  be  true) 
Beds  of  hyacinth  and  roses. 
Where  young  Adonis  oft  reposes, 
Waxing  well  of  his  deep  wound 
In  slumber  soft,  and  on  the  ground 
Sadly  sits  the  Assyrian  queen ; 
But  far  above,  in  spangled  sheen, 
Celestial  Cupid,  her  famed  son,  advanced. 
Holds  his  dear  Psyche  sweet  entranced, 
After  her  wandering  labours  long, 
Till  free  consent  the  gods  among 
Make  her  his  eternal  bride, 
And  from  her  fair  unspotted  side 
Two  blissful  twins  are  to  be  born, 
Youth  and  Joy ;  so  Jove  hath  sworn. 

But  now  my  task  is  smoothly  done ; 
I  can  fly,  or  I  can  run 
Quickly  to  the  green  earth's  end. 


C0MU8. 

Where  the  bowed  welkin  slow  doth  bend. 
And  from  thence  can  soar  as  soon 
To  the  corners  of  the  moon. 

Mortals,  that  would  follow  me, 
Love  Virtue  ;  she  alone  is  free  : 
She  can  teach  yc  how  to  climb 
Higher  than  the  sphery  chime ; 
Or,  if  Virtue  feeble  were, 
Heaven  itself  would  stoop  to  her. 


463 


464  POEMS    ON    SliVEBAL,  .OCCASIOXS. 


XVII. 
LYCIDAS. 

(In  this  monody  the  ftUthor  bewails  a  learned  friend,  Mr.  Edward  King,  who 
was  unfortunately  drowned  in  his  passage  from  Chester  on  the  Irish  seas, 
1637,  and  by  occasion  foretells  the  ruin  of  our  corrupted  clergy,  then  in 
their  height.] 

Yet  once  more,  O  ye  laurels !  and  once  more 
Yo  myrtles  brown,  with  ivy  never  sere, 
I  come  to  pluck  your  berries  harsh  and  crude, 
And  with  forced  fingers  rude 
Shatter  your  leaves  before  the  tpellowing  year. 
Bitter  constraint,  and  sad  occasion  dear. 
Compels  me'to  disturb  your  season  due  ; 
For  Lycidas  is  dead,  dead  ere  his  prime, 
Young  Lycidas,  and  hath  not  left  his  peer : 
Who  would  not  sing  for  Lycidas  ?    He  knew 
Himself  to  sing,  and  build  the  lofty  rhyme. 
He  must  not  float  upon  his  watery  bier 
Unwept,  and  welter  to  the  parching  wind. 
Without  the  meed  of  some  melodious  tear. 

Begin  then,  sisters,  of  the  sacred  well, 
That  from  beneath  the  seat  of  Jove  doth  spring ; 
Begin,  and  somewhat  loudly  sweep  the  string. 
Hence  with  denial  vain,  and  coy  excuse, 
So  may  some  gentle  muse 
With  hicky  words  favour  my  destined  urn, 
And,  as  he  passes,  turn 
And  bid  fair  peace  be  to  my  sable  shroud  : 
For  we  were  nursed  upon  the  self-same  hill,     . 
Fed  the  same  flock  by  fountain,  shade,  and  rill. 

Together  both,  ere  the  high  lawns  appeared 


POEMS    OK    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS.  465 

Under  the  opening  eyelids  of  the  mom, 

We  drove  a  field,  and  both  together  heard 

What  time  the  gray  fly  winds  her  sultry  horn. 

Battening  our  flocks  with  the  fi-esh  dews  of  night. 

Oft  till  the  star  .that  rose,  at  evening,  bright, 

Toward  Heaven's  descent  liad  sloped  his  westering  wheel 

]\[eanAvliile  the  rural  ditties  were  not  mute, 

Tempered  to  the  oaten  flute  ; 

Iiongh  satyrs  danced,  and  fauns  with  cloven  heel 

From  the  glad  sound  would  not  be  absent  long, 

And  old  DamoBtas  loved  to  hear  our  song. 

But  oh,  the  heavy  change,  now  thou  art  gone. 
Now  thou  art  gone,  and  never  must  return  ! 
Thee,  shepherd,  thee  the  woods,  and  desert  caves 
With  wild  thyme  and  the  gadding  vine  o'ergrown, 
And  all  their  echoes  mourn. 
The  willows,  and  the  hazel  copses  green, 
.Shall  now  no  more  be  seen. 
Fanning  their  joyous  leaves  to  thy  soft  lays. 
As  kilhng  as  the  canker  to  the  rose. 
Or  taint-worm  to  the  weanling  herds  that  graze, 
Or  frost  to  flowers,  that  their  gay  wardrobe  wear, 
When  first  the  white-thorn  blows ; 
Such,  Lycidas,  thy  loss  to  shepherds'  ear. 

Where  were  ye,  nymphs,  when  the  remorseless  deep 
Closed  o'er  the  head  of  your  loved  Lycidas  ? 
For  neither  were  ye  playing  on  the  steep, 
Where  your  old  bards,  the  "famous  Druids,  lie; 
Nor  on  the  shaggy  top  of  Mona  high. 
Nor  yet  where  Deva  spreads  her  wizard  stream  ;     » 
Ay  me  !  I  fondly  dream 

Had  ye  been  there,  for  what  could  that  have  done  ? 
What  could  the  muse  herself  that  Orpheus  bore, 
The  muse  herself  for  her  enchanting  son, 
Whom  universal  nature  did  lament, 
When  by  the  rout  that  made  the  hideous  roar, 
His  gory  visage  doAvn  the  stream  was  sent, 
Down  the  swift  Hebrus  to  the  Lesbian  shore? 

Alas !  "what  boots  it  with  incessant  care 
To  tend  the  homely  slighted  shepherd's  trade, 

30 


406  POEMS    ON   8ETERAL   OCCASIONS. 

And  strictly  meditate  the  thankless  muse? 

Were  it  not  better  done  as  others  use, 

To  sport  with  Amaryllis  in  the  shade, 

Or  with  the  tangles  of  ISTeasra's  hair  ? 

Fame  is  the  spur  that  the  clear  spirit  doth  raise 

(That  last  infirmity  of  noble  mind) 

To  scorn  delights,  and  live  laborious  days  ; 

But  the  fair  guerdon  when  we  hope  to  find. 

And  think  to  burst  out  into  sudden  blaze, 

Comes  the  blind  fury  with  the  abhorred  shears. 

And  slits  the  lhin-s])un  life.     "  But  not  the  praise," 

Phoebus  replied,  and  touched  my  tremblmg  ears  ; 

"  Fame  is  no  plJint  that  grows  on  mortal  soil,  • 

Nor  in  the  glistering  foil 

Set  off  to  the  world,  nOr  in  broad  rumour  lies, 

But  lives  and  spreads  aloft  by  those  pure  eyes, 

And  perfect  witness  of  all-judging  Jove  ; 

As  he  pronounces  lastly  on  each  deed. 

Of  so  much  fame  in  Heaven  expect  thy  meed." 

O  fountain  Arethuse,  and  thou  honoured  flood, 
Smooth-sliding  Minciu_s,  crowned  with  vocal  reeds, 
That  strain  I  heard  was  of  a  higher  mood  : 
But  noAv  my  oat  proceeds, 
And  listens  to  the  herald  of  the  sea 
That  came  in  Neptune's  plea  ; 
He  asked  the  waves,  and  asked  the  felon  winds, 
What  hard  mishap  had  doomed  this  gentle  swain  'r 
And  questioned  every  gust  of  rugged  wings. 
That  blows  from  off  each  beaked  promontory : 
They  knew  not  of  his  story, 
And  sage  HijDpotades  their  answer  brings, 
That  not  a  blast  was  from  his  dungeon  strayed, 
The  air  was  calm,  and  on  the  level  brine 
Sleek  Panope  with  all  her  sisters  played. 
It  was  that  fatal  and  perfidious  bark 
Built  in  the  eclipse,  and  rigged  with  curses  dark, 
That  sunk  so  low  tliat  sacred  head  of  thine. 

Next  Camus,  reverend  sire,  went  footing  slow. 
His  mantle  hairy,  and  his  bonnet  sedge, 
Inwrought  with  figures  dim,  and  on  the  edge, 


POEMS    01^    SEVKltAX    OCCASIONS.  467 

Like  to  that  sanguine  flower  inscribed  with  woe. 

"  Ah !  who  hath  reft,"  quoth  he,  "  ray  dearest  pledge  ?  " 

Last  came,  and  last  did  go. 

The  pilot  of  the  Galilean  lake. 

Two  massy  keys  he  bore,  of  metals  twain 

(The  golden  opes,  the  iron  shuts  amain), 

He  shook  his  mitred  locks,  and  stern  bespake : 

"  How  well  could  I  have  spared  for  thee,  young  swain, 

Enow  of  such  as  for  their  bellies'  sake 

Creep,  and  intrude,  and  climb  into  the  fold  ! 

Of  other  care  they  little  reckoning  make. 

Than  how  to  scramble  at  the  shearer's  feast. 

And  shove  away  the  worthy  bidden  guest ;  ^ 

Blind  mouths !  that  scarce  themselves  know  how  to  hold 

A  sheep-hook,  or  have  learned  aught  else  the  least 

That  to  the  faithful  herdsman's  art  belongs  ! 

What  recks  it  them  ?     Wl^at  need  they  ?    They  are  sped  ; 

And  when  they  list,  their  lean  and  flashy  songs 

Grate  on  their  scrannel  2)ipes  of  wretched  straAv ; 

The  hungry  sheep  look  up,  and  are  not  fed, 

But  swollen  with  wind,  and  the  rank  mist  they  draw, 

Rot  inwardly,  and  foul  contagion  spread  : 

Besides  what  the  grim  wolf  with  privy  paw 

Daily  devours  apace,  and  nothing  said. 

But  that  two-handed  engine  at  the  door 

Stands  ready  to  smite  once,  and  smite  no  more." 

Return,  Alpheus,  the  drend  voice  is  past. 
That  shrunk  thy  streams  :  return  Sicilian  muse, 
And  call  the  vales,  and  bid  them  hither  cast 
Their  bells  and  flowerets  of  a  thousand  hues. 
Ye  valleys  low,  where  the  mild  whis]iers  use 
Of  shades,  and  wanton  winds,  and  gushing  brooks, 
On  whose  fresh  lap  the  swart  star  sparely  looks, 
Throw  hither  all  your  quaint  enamelled  eyes, 
That  on  the  green  turf  suck  the  honeyed  showei-s, 
And  purple  all  the  ground  with  vernal  flowers. 
Bring  tlie  rathe  primrose  that  forsaken  dies, 
The  tufted  crow-toe,  and  pale  jessamine. 
The  white  pinjcj  and  the  pansy  freaked  with  jet, 
The  glcw^i.ng.  violet, 


468 


POEMS    ON    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS. 


The  musk-rose,  and  the  well-attired  woodbine, 

With  cowslips  wan  that  liang  the  pensive  head. 

And  every  flower  that  sad  embroidery  wears  : 

'Bid  amaranthus  all  his  beauty  shed, 

And  daffodillies  fill  their  cups  with  tears, 

To  strow  the  laureate  hearse  where  Lycid  lies. 

For  so  to  interpose  a  little  ease,'>.  ^ 

Let  our  frail  thoughts  dally  with  false  surmise. 

Ay  me  !  whilst  thee  the  shores  and  sounding  seas 

Wash  far  away,  Avhere  ere  thy  bones  are  hurled, 

Whether  beyond  the  stormy  Hebrides, 

Where  thou,  perhaps,  under  the  whelming  tide 

Yi^'st  the  bottom  of  the  monstrous  Avorld ; 

Or  whether  thou  to  our  moist  vows  denied, 

Sleep'st  by  the  fable  of  Bellerus  old. 

Where  the  great  vision  of  the  guarded  mount 

Looks  toward  Namancos  and  Bayona's  hold  ; 

Look  homeward,  angel  now,  and  melt  M'ith  ruth: 

And,  O  ye  dolphins,  waft  the  hapless  youth. 

Weep  no  more,  woeful  shepherds,  weep  no  more, 
For  Lycidas  your  sorrow  is  not  dead, 
Sunk  though  he  be  beneath  the  watery  floor ; 
So  sinks  the  day-star  in  the  ocean  bed, 
And  yet  anon  repairs  his  drooping  head, 
And  tricks  his  beams,  and  with  new-spangled  ore 
Flames  in  the  forehead  of  the  morning  sky: 
So  Lycidas  sunk  low^,  but  mounted  high, 
Through  the  dear  might  of  him  that  walked  the  waves, 
Where  other  groves  and  other  streams  along, 
With  nectar  pure  his  oozy  locks  he  laves, 
And  hears  the  unexpressive  nuptial  song. 
In  the  blest  kingdoms  meek  of  joy  and  love. 
There  entertain  him  all  the  saints  above. 
In  solemn  troojjs,  and  sweet  societies. 
That  sing,  and  singing  in  their  glory  move. 
And  wi))e  the  tears  for  ever  from  his  eyes. 
Now,  Lycidas,  the  shepherds  weep  no  more; 
Henceforth  thou  art  the  genius  of  the  shore. 
In  thy  large  recompense,  and  shalt  be  good 
To  all  that  w;inder  in  that  perilous  flood. 


POEMS    ON    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS.  4t)9 

Thus  sang  the  uncouth  swain  to  the  oaks  and  rills, 
\Yliile  the  still  morn  went  out  with  sandals  gray  ; 
He  touched  the  tender  stops  of  various  quills, 
With  eager  thought  warbling  his  Doric  lay  : 
And  now  the  sun  had  stretched  out  all  the  hills, 
And  now  was  dropped  into  the  western  bay ; 
At  last  he  rose,  and  twitched  his  mantle  blue  : 
To  morrow  to  fresh  woods,  and  pastures  new. 


XVIII. 

THE  FIFTH  ODE  OF  HORACE,  Lib  .  I. 

[  "  Quis  raulta  gracilis  te  pner  in  rosa,"  rendered  almost  word  for  word 
without  rhyme,  according  to  the  Latin  measure,  as  near  as  the  lan- 
guagewill  permit.] 

What  slender  youth,  bedewed  with  liquid  odours 
Courts  thee  on  roses  in  some  pleasant  cave, 

Pyrrha  ?     For  whom  bind'st  thou 

In  wreaths  thy  golden  hair, 
Plain  in  thy  neatness  ?     Oh,  how  oft  shall  he 
On  faith  and  changed  gods  complain,  and  seas 

Rough  with  black  winds  and  storms 

Unwonted  shall  admire  ! 
Who  now  enjoys  thee  credulous,  all  gold  ; 
Who  always  vacant,  always  amiable, 

Hopes  thee,  of  flattering  gales 

Unmindful.     Hapless  they 
To  whom  thou  untried  seem'st  fair.     Me  in  my  vowed 
Picture  the  sacred  wall  declares  to  have  hung 

]\Iy  dank  and  dropping  weeds 

To  the  stern  god  of  sea. 


AD  PYRRHAM.  ODE  V- 

Horatins  exPyrrhse  illecebris  tanqnam  i  naufragio  euataverat,  cujtis 
amore  irretitos,  affirmat  esse  miseros. 

Quis  multa  gracilis  te  puer  in  rosa 
Pcrfusus  liquidis  urget  odoribus, 
Grato,  Pyrrha,  sub  antro  ? 


470  POEMS    ON    SEVERAL  OCCASIONS. 

Cui  flavam  religas  comam 
Simplex  munditiis  ?  heu  quoties  fidem 
Mutatosque  deos  flebit,  ct  aspera 

Nigris  fequora  ventis 

Emirabitur  insolens ! 
Qui  nunc  te  fruitur  credulus  aurea, 
Qui  semper  vacuam  semper  amabilem 

Sperat,  nescius  auraa 

Fallacis.     Miseri  quibus 
Intentata  nites.     Me  tubula  sacer 
Votiva  paries  indicat  uvida 

Suspendisse  potenti 

Vestimenta  maris  Deo. 


XIX. 


ON  THE  NEW  FORCERS  OF  CONSCIENCE  UNDER 
THE  LONG  PARLIAMENT. 

Because  you  have  thrown  off  your  prelate  lord, 
And  with  stiff  vows  renounced  his  liturgy, 
To  seize  the  widowed  whore  Plurality 
From  them  whose  sin  ye  envied,  not  abhorred, 

Dare  ye  for  this  adjure  the  civil  sword 

To  force  our  consciences  tliat  Christ  set  free. 
And  ride  us  with  a  classic  hierarchy 
Taught  ye  by  mere  A.  S.  and  Rotherford? 

Men  whose  life,  learning,  faith,  and  pure  intent 
Would  have  been  held  in  high  esteem  with  Paul, 
Must  now  be  named  and  printed  heretics 

By  shallow  Edwards  and  Scotch  what  d'ye  call : 
But  we  do  hope  to  find  out  all  your  tricks, 
Your  plots  and  packing  worse  than  those  of  Trent, 

That  so  the  Parliament 

May,  with  their  wholesome  and  pi-eventive  shears, 

Clip  your  phylacteries,  though  bank  your  ears. 

And  succour  our  just  fears, 

When  they  shall  read  this  clearly  in  your  charge, 

New  Presbyter  is  but  Old  Priest  writ  large. 


I. 

TO  THE  NIGHTINGALE. 

O  Nightingale,  that  on  yon  bloomy  spray 
Warblest  at  eve,  when  all  the  woods  are  still, 
Thou  with  fresh  hope  the  lover's  heart  dost  till, 
While  the  jolly  hours  lead  on  propitious  May. 

Thy  liquid  notes  that  close  the  eye  of  day. 
First  heard  before  the  shallow  cuckoo's  bill. 
Portend  success  in  love  ;  oh,  if  Jove's  Avill 
Have  linked  that  amorous  po\yer  to  thy  soft  lay, 

Now  timely  sing,  ere  the  rude  bird  of  hate 

Foretell  my  iiopeless  doom  in  some  grove  nigh ; 
As  thou  from  year  to  year  hast  sung  too  late 

For  my  relief,  yet  hadst  no  reason  why : 

Whether  the  Muse,  or  Love,  call  thee  his  mate. 
Both  them  I  serve,  and  of  their  train  am  I. 

II. 

Donna  leggiadra  il  cui  bel  nome  honora 
L'  herbosa  val  di  Rheno,  e  il  nobil  varco, 
Bene  6  colui  d'  ogni  valore  scarco 
Qual  tuo  spirto  gentil  non  innamora, 

Che  dolcemente  mostra  si  di  fuora 
De  sui  atti  soavi  giamai  parco, 
E  i  don',  che  son  d'amor  saette  ed  arco, 
La  onde  1'  ulta  tua  virtu  s'  iufiora. 

(471) 


472  SONNETS. 

Quando  tu  vaga  parli,  o  lieta  canti 
Che  mover  possa  duro  alpestre  legno, 
Guardi  ciascun  a  gli  occhi,  ed  a  gli  oreccM 

L'  entrata,  chi  di  te  si  truova  indegno ; 
Grazia  sola  di  su  gli  vaglia,  inanti 
Che  '1  disio  amoroso  al  cuor  s'  invecchi. 

III. 

QuAL  in  coUe  asj^ro,  al  imbrunir  di  sera 
L'  avezza  giovinetta  pastorella 
Va  bagnando  1'  herbetta  strana  e  bella 
Che  mal  si  spande  a  disusata  speva 

Fuor  di  sua  natia  alma  primavera, 
Cosi  Amor  meco  insti  la  lingua  snella 
Desta  il  fior  novo  di  strania  favella, 
Mentre  io  di  te,  vezzosamente  altera, 

Canto,  dal  mio  buon  popol  non  inteso, 
E  '1  bel  Tamigi  cangio  col  bel  Arno. 
Amor  lo  volse,  ed  io  a  1'  altrui  peso 

Seppi  eh'  Amor  cosa  mai  volse  indarno. 
Deh !  foss'  il  mio  cuor  lento  e  '1  duro  seno 
A  chi  pianta  dal  ciel  si  buon  terreno. 


CANZONE. 

RiDONSi  donne  e  giovani  amorosi 
M'  accostandosi  attorno,  e  perche  scrivi, 
Perche  tu  scrivi  in  lingua  ignota  e  strana 
Verseorffiando  d'  amor,  e  come  t'  osi? 
Dinne,  se  la  tua  speme  sia  mai  vana, 
E  de  pensieri  lo  miglior  t'  arrivi ; 
Cosi  mi  van  burlando,  altri  rivi 
Altri  lidi  t'  aspettan,  et  altre  onde 
Nelle  cui  verdi  sponde 
Spuntati  ad  hor,  ad  hor  a  la  tua  chioma 
L'  immortal  guiderdon  d'  eterne  frondi ; 
Perche  alle  spalle  tue  soverchia  soma? 
Canzon  dirotti,  e  tu  per  me  rispondi 
Dice  mia  Donna,  e  '1  suo  dir,  e  il  mio  cuore 
Questa  c  lingua  di  cui  si  vanta  Amore. 


SONNETS.  473 

IV. 

DiODATi,  e  te  '1  diro  con  maraviglia, 

Quel  ritroso  io  cli'  amor  spreggiar  solea 

E  de  suoi  lacci  spesso  mi  ridea 

Gia  caddi,  ov'  huom  dabben  talhor  s'  irapiglia. 
Ne  treccie  cl'  oro,  ne  gnancia  vermiglia 

M'  abbaglian  si,  ma  sotto  nova  idea 

Pellegrina  bellezza  che'  1  cuor  bea, 

Portamenti  aiti  honcsti,  e  nellc  cigiia 
Quel  serene  fulgor  d'  amabil  nero, 

Parole  adorne  di  lingua  pui  d'  una, 

E  '1  cantar  che  di  mezzo  1'  heraispero 
Traviar  ben  puo  la  faticosa  Luna, 

E  degli  ocelli  suoi  auventa  si  gran  fuoco 

Che  1'  incerar  gli  orecchi  mi  fia  poco. 

V. 

Per  certo  i  bei  vost'r  occhi.  Donna  mia 
Esser  non  puo  che  non  sian  lo  mio  sole 
Si  mi  percuoton  forte,  come  ei  suole 
Per  1'  arene  di  Libia  chi  s'  invia, 

Mentre  un  caldo  vapor  (ne  senti  pria) 
Da  quel  lato  si  spinge  ove  mi  duole, 
Che  forse  amanti  nelle  lor  parole 
Chiaman  sospir  ;  io  non  so  che  si  sia : 

Parte  rinchiusa,  e  turbida  si  cela 

Scosso  mi  il  petto,  e  poi  n'uscendo  poco 
Quivi  d'  attorno  o  s'  agghiaccia,  o  s'  ingiela ; 

Ma  quanto  a  gli  occhi  giunge  a  trovar  loco 
Tutte  le  notti  a  me  suoi  far  provose 
Finche  mia  Alba  rivien  colma  di  rose. 

VI. 

GiovANE  piano,  e  semplicetto  amante, 
Poi  che  fuggir  me  stesso  in  dubbio  sono. 
Madonna  a  voi  del  mio  cuor  1'  humil  dono 
Faro  divoto ;  io  certo  a  j^rove  tante 

L'  hebbi  fedele,  intrepido,  costante, 

De  pensieri  leggiadro,  accorto,  e  buono  ; 
Quando  rugge  il  gran  mondo,  e  scocca  il  tuono, 


474  SONNETS. 

S'  arma  di  se,  e  d'  intero  diamante ; 

Tauto  del  forse,  e  d'  invidia  sicuro, 
Di  timori,  e  speranze  al  popol  use 
Quanto  d'  ingegno,  e  d'  alto  valor  vago, 
E  di  cetra  sonora,  e  delle  muse : 
Sol  troverete  in  tal  parte  men  duro 

Ove  Amor  mise  1'  insanabil  ago. 


VII. 


ON  HIS  BEING  ARRIVED  AT  THE  AGE  OF 
TWENTY-THREE. 

HoTV  soon  hath  Time,  the  subtle  thief  of  youth, 
Stolen  on  his  wing  my  three-and-twentieth  year ! 
My  hasting  days  fly  on  with  full  career, 
But  my  late  spring  no  bud  or  blossom  shew'th. 

Perhaps  my  semblance  might  deceive  the  truth, 
That  I  to  manhood  am  arrived  so  near. 
And  inward  ripeness  doth  much  less  appear. 
That  some  more  timely-happy  spirits  endu* 

Yet  be  it  less  or  more,  or  soon  or  slow, 
It  shall  be  still  in  strictest  measure  even 
To  that  same  lot,  however  mean  or  high. 

Toward  which  Time  leads  me,  and  the  will  of  Heaven ; 
All  is,  if  I  have  grace  to  use  it  so, 
As  ever  in  my  great  Task-Master's  eye. 


VIII. 
WHEN  THE  ASSAULT  WAS  INTENDED  TO  THE 

CITY. 

Captain  or  colonel,  or  knight  in  arms, 
Whose  chance  on  these  defenceless  doors  may  seize, 
If  deed  of  honour  did  thee  ever  please, 
Guard  them,  and  him  within  protect  from  harms. 

He  can  requite  thee,  for  he  knows  the  charms 
That  call  fame  on  such  gentle  acts  as  these, 
And  he  can  spread  thy  name  o'er  lands  and  seas, 


SONNETS.  475 

Whatever  clime  the  suu's  bright  circle  warms. 

Lift  not  thy  spear  against  the  Muses'  bower : 
The  great  Emathian  conqueror  bid  spare 
The  house  of  Pindarus,  when  temple  and  tower 

Went  to  the  ground  :  and  the  repeated  air 
Of  sad  Electra's  poet  had  the  power 
To  save  the  Athenian  walls  from  ruin  bare. 


IX. 
TO  A  VIRTUOUS  YOUNG  LADY. 

Lady,  that  in  the  prime  of  earliest  youth 

Wisely  hast  shunned  the  broad  way  and  the  green, 
And  with  those  few  art  eminently  seen, 
That  labour  up  the  hill  of  heavenly  truth, 

The  better  part  with  Mary  and  with  Ruth 
Chosen  thou  hast ;  and  they  that  overween, 
And  at  thy  growing  virtues  fret  their  spleen, 
No  anger  find  in  thee,  but  pity  and  ruth. 

Thy  care  is  fixed,  and  zealously  attends 

To  fill  thy  odorous  lamp  with  deeds  of  light, 

And  hope  that  reaps  not  shame.     Therefore  be  sure 

Thou,  when  the  bridegroom  with  his  feastful  friends 
Passes  to  bliss  at  the  mid  hour  of  night. 
Hath  gained  thy  entrance,  virgin  wise  and  pure. 


X. 

TO  'J  HE  LADY  MARGARET  LEY. 

Dafghter  to  that  good  earl,  once  President 
Of  England's  Council,  and  her  Treasury, 
Who  lived  in  both,  unstained  with  gold  or  free, 
And  left  them  both,  more  in  himself  content, 

Till  sad  the  breaking  of  that  Parliament 
Broke  him,  as  that  dishonest  victory 
At  Chaeronea,  fatal  to  liberty. 
Killed  with  report  that  old  man  eloquent. 

Though  later  born  that  to  have  known  the  days 


476  SONNETS. 

Wlierein  your  father  flourished,  yet  by  you, 
iMadam,  methinks  I  see  him  living  yet ; 
So  Avcll  your  words  his  noble  virtues  praise, 
That  all  both  judge  you  to  relate  them  true, 
And  to  possess  them,  honoured  Margaret. 


XL 

on  the  detractiox  which  followed  upon 
:my  writing  certain  treatises. 

A  BOOK  was  writ  of  late,  called  "  Tetrachordon," 
And  woven  close,  both  matter,  form,  and  style; 
The  subject  new  :  it  walked  the  town  a  while, 
Numbering  good  intellects ;  now  seldom  pored  on. 

Cries  the  stall-reader.  Bless  us !  what  a  word  on 
A  title-page  is  this  !   and  some  in  file 
Stand  spelling  false,  while  one  might  walk  to  Mile- 
End  Green.     Why  is  it  harder,  sirs,  than  Gordon, 

Colkitto,  or  Macdonnel,  or  Galasp  ? 

Those  rugged  names  to  our  like  mouths  grow  sleek. 
That  would  have  made  Quintilian  stare  and  gasp. 

Thy  age,  like  ours,  O  soul  of  Sir  John  Cheek, 
Hated  not  learning  worse  than  toad  or  asp, 
When  thou  taught'st  Cambridge,  and  king  Edward, 
Greek. 


XII. 

ON  the  same. 

I  DID  but  prompt  the  age  to  quit  their  clogs 
By  the  known  rules  of  ancient  liberty. 
When  straight  a  barbarous  noise  environs  me 
Of  owls  and  cuckoos,  asses,  apes,  and  dogs  : 

As  when  those  hinds  that  were  transformed  to  frogs 
Railed  at  Latona's  twin-born  progeny. 
Which  after  held  the  sun  and  moon  in  fee. 
But  this  is  got  by  casting  pearl  to  hogs. 

That  bawl  for  freedom  in  their  senseless  mood. 


SONNETS.  477 

And  still  revolt  when  truth  would  set  them  free. 
License  they  mean  when  they  cry  "  Liberty  !  " 
For  who  loves  that,  must  first  be  wise  and  good ; 
But  from  that  mark  how  far  they  rove  we  see 
For  all  this  waste  of  wealth,  and  loss  of  blood. 


XIII. 
TO  MR.  H.  LA  WES  ON  IIIS  AIRS. 

Harry,  whose  tuneful  and  Avell-measured  song 
First  taught  our  English  music  how  to  span 
Words  with  just  note  and  accent,  not  to  scan 
With  Midas'  ears,  committing  short  and  long ; 

Thy  worth  and  skill  exempts  thee  from  the  throng,. 
With  praise  enough  for  envy  to  look  Avan  ; 
To  after  age  thou  shalt  be  writ  the  man, 
That  with  smooth  air  couldst  humour  best  our  tongue 

Thou  honour'st  verse,  and  verse  must  lend  her  wing 
To  honour  thee,  the  priest  of  Phcebus'  quire. 
That  tun'st  their  happiest  lines  in  hymn  or  story. 

Dante  shall  give  Fame  leave  to  set  thee  higher 
Than  his  Casella,  whom  he  wooed  to  sing 
Met  in  the  milder  shades  of  purgatory. 


XIV. 


ON   THE   RELIGIOUS   MEIMORY   OF   MRS.  CATHA- 
RINE THOMSON,  MY  CHRISTIAN  FRIEND. 

Deceased  IQth  December,  1646. 

When  faith  and  love,  which  parted  from  thee  never, 
Had  ripened  thy  just  soul  to  dwell  with  God, 
Meekly  thou  didst  resign  this  earthly  load 
Of  death,  called  life  ;  Avhich  us  from  life  doth  sever. 

Thy  works  and  alms  and  all  thy  good  endeavour 
Stayed  not  behind,  nor  in  tlie  grave  were  trod  ; 
But  as  faith  }>ointed  with  her  golden  rod, 
Followed  thee  up  to  joy  and  bliss  for  ever. 


478  soN^^;Ts. 

Love  led  them  on,  and  faith,  who  knew  them  best 
Thy  handmaids,  clad  them  o'er  with  purple  beams 
And  azure  wings,  that  up  they  flew  so  drest, 

And  spake  the  truth  of  thee  on  glorious  themes 
Before  the  Judge,  who  tnenceforth  bid  thee  rest 
And  drink  thy  till  of  pure  immortal  streams. 


XV. 

TO  THE  LORD  GENERAL  FAIRFAX. 

Fairfax,  whose  name  in  arms  through  Europe  rings. 
Filling  each  mouth  with  envy  or  with  praise, 
And  all  her  jealous  monarchs  with  amaze 
And  rumours  loud,  that  daunt  remotest  kings, 

Thy  firm  xan shaken  virtue  ever  brings 

Victory  home,  though  new  rebellions  raise 
Their  Hydra  heads,  and  the  false  north  displays 
Her  broken  league  to  imp  their  serpent  Avings. 

Oh  !  yet  a  nobler  task  awaits  thy  hand 

(For  what  can  war  but  endless  war  still  breed?) 
Till  truth  and  right  from  violence  be  freed. 

And  public  faith  cleared  from  the  shameful  brand 
Of  public  fraud.     In  vain  doth  valour  bleed, 
While  avarice  and  rapine  share  the  land. 


XVI. 
TO  THE  LORD  GEXERAL  CROMWELL. 

Cro^twell,  our  chief  of  men,  who  through  a  cloud 
Not  of  war  only,  but  detractions  rude. 
Guided  by  faith  and  matchless  fortitude, 
To  peace  and  truth  thy  glorious  way  hast  ploughed, 

And  on  the  neck  of  crowned  fortune  proud 

Hast  reared  God's  trophies,  and  his  work  pursued, 
While  Darwen  stream  with  blood  of  Scots  imbrued, 
And  Dunbar  field  resounds  thy  praises  loud. 

And  Worcester's  laureate  wreath.     Yet  much  remains 


■t. 


o  conquer  still ;  peace  hath  her  victories 


SOXNETS.  479 

No  less  renowned  than  war  :  new  foes  arise 
Threatening  to  bind  our  souls  with  secular  chains  : 
Help  \;s  to  save  free  conscience  from  the  paw 
Of  hireling  wolves,  whose  gospel  is  their  maw. 


XVIi 
TO  SIR  HENRY  VANE  THE  YOUNGER. 

Vane,  young  in  years,  but  in  sage  counsel  old, 
Than  whom  a  better  senator  ne'er  held 
The  helm  of  Rome,  when  gowns  not  arms  repelled 
The  fierce  Epirot  and  the  African  bold  ; 

"Whether  to  settle  peace,  or  to  unfold 

The  drift  of  hollow  states  hard  to  be  spelled, 
Then  to  advise  how  war  may  best  uphold 
Move  by  her  two  main  nerves,  iron  and  gold, 

In  all  her  equipage ;  besides  to  know 
Both  spiritual  power  and  civil,  what  each  means, 
What  severs  each,  thou  hast  learned,  which  few  have 
done : 

The  bounds  of  either  sword  to  thee  we  owe ; 
Therefore,  on  thy  firm  hand  religion  leans 
In  peace,  and  reckons  thee  her  eldest  son. 


>y       'Xym 

ON  THE  LATE  MASSACRE  IN  PIEMONT. 

Avenge,  O  Lord !  thy  slaughtered  saints,  whose  bones 
Lie  scattered  on  the  Alpine  mountains  cold  ; 
Even  them  who  kept  thy  truth  so  pure  of  old, 
When  all  our  fathers  worshi])ped  stocks  and  stones, 

Forget  not :  in  thy  book  record  their  groans 
Who  were  thy  sheep,  and  in  their  ancient  fold 
Slain  by  the  bloody  Piemontese  that  rolled 
Mother  with  infant  down  the  rocks.     Their  moans 

The  vales  redoubled  to  the  hills,  and  they 

To  Heaven.     Their  martyred  blood  and  ashes  sow 


480  SONNETS. 

O'er  all  the  Italian  fields,  where  still  doth  sway 
The  triple  tyrant  ;  that  from  these  may  grow 
A  hundredfold,  who  having  learned  thy  way 
Early  may  fly  the  Babylonian  woe. 


/XIX. 

ON  HIS  BLINDNESS. 

When  I  consider  how  ray  light  is  spent 

Ere  half  my  days,  in  this  dark  world  and  wide  ; 
And  that  one  talent  which  is  death  to  hide. 
Lodged  with  me  useless,  though  my  soul  more  bent 

To  serve  therewith  my  Maker,  and  present 
My  true  account,  lest  he  returning  chide  ; 
Doth  God  exact  day-labour,  light  denied, 
I  fondly  ask  ?     But  Patience,  to  prevent 

That  murmur,  soon  replies,  God  doth  not  need 
Either  man's  work  or  his  own  gifts  ;  who  best 
Bear  his  mild  yoke,  they  serve  him  best :  his  state 

Is  kingly  ;  thousands  at  his  bidding  speed. 
And  post  o'er  land  and  ocean  without  rest; 
They  also  serve  who  only  stand  and  wait. 


XX. 

TO  MR.  LAWRENCE. 

Lawrence,  of  virtuous  father  virtuous  son, 

Now  that  the  fields  are  dank,  and  ways  are  mire. 
Where  shall  we  sometimes  meet,  and  by  the  fire 
Help  waste  a  sullen  day,  what  may  be  won 

From  the  hard  season  gaining  ?     Time  will  run 
On  smoother,  till  Favonius  re-inspire 
The  frozen  earth,  and  clothe  in  fresh  attire 
The  lily  and  rose,  that  neither  sowed  nor  spun. 

What  neat  repast  shall  feast  us,  light  and  choice, 
Of  Attic  taste,  with  wine,  whence  we  may  rise 
To  hear  the  lute  well  touched,  or  artful  voice 

Warble  immortal  notes  and  Tuscan  air  ? 


SONNETSw  411 

He  who  of  tliose  delights  can  judge,  and  spare 
To  interpose  thera  oft,  is  not  unwise. 


XXI. 
TO  CrRIAC  SKINNER. 

Ctriac,  whose  grandsire  on  tlie  royal  bench 
Of  British  Themis,  with  no  mean  applause 
Pronounced,  and  in  his  volumes  taught,  our  laws. 
Which  others  at  their  bar  so  often  wrench  ; 

To-day  deep  thoughts  resolve  with  me  to  drench 
In  mirth,  that  after  no  repenting  draws  ; 
Let  Euclid  rest,  and  Archimedes  pause, 
And  what  the  Swede  intends,  and  what  the  French. 

To  measure  life  learn  thou  betimes,  and  knoAv 
Toward  solid  good  what  leads  the  nearest  way ; 
For  other  things  mild  Heaven  a  time  ordains, 

And  disapproves  that  care,  though  wise  in  show, 
That  with  superfluous  burded  loads  the  day, 
And,  when  God  sends  a  cheerful  hour,  refrains. 


XXII. 
TO  THE  SAME. 

Ctriac,  this  three  years'  day  these  eyes,  though  clear, 

To  outward  view,  of  blemish  or  of  spot, 

Bereft  of  light  their  seeing  haA^e  forgot, 

Nor  to  their  idle  orbs  doth  sight  appear 
Of  sun,  or  moon,  or  star  throughout  the  year, 

Or  man,  or  woman.     Yet  I  argue  not 

Against  Heaven's  hand  or  will,  nor  bate  a  jot 

Of  heart  or  hojie  ;  but  still  bear  up,  and  steer 
Right  onward.     What  supports  me,  dost  thou  ask? 

The  conscience,  friend,  to  have  lost  them  overplied 

In  liberty's  defence,  my  noble  task. 
Of  which  all  Europe  talks  from  side  to  side. 

This  thought  might  lead  me  through  thu  world's  vain 
mask 

Content,  though  blind,  had  I  no  better  guide. 

31 


482  SONNETS. 

XXIII. 
ON  HIS  DECEASED  WIFE. 

Methought  I  saw  my  late  espoused  saint 
Brought  to  me  like  Alcestis  from  the  grave, 
Whom  Jove's  great  son  to  her  glad  husband  gave, 
Rescued  from  death  by  force,  though  pale  and  faint. 

Mine,  as  whom  washed  from  spot  of  child-bed  taint 
Purification  in  the  old  law  did  save  ; 
And  such,  as  yet  once  more  I  trust  to  have 
Full  sight  of  her  in  Heaven  without  restraint, 

Came  vested  all  in  white,  pure  ns  her  mind : 
Her  face  was  veiled,  yet  to  my  fancied  sight 
Love,  sweetness,  goodness,  in  her  person  shined 

So  clear,  as  in  no  face  with  more  delight. 
But  oh  !  as  to  embrace  me  she  inclined, 

I  waked,  she  fled,  and  day  brought  back  my  night. 


PSALM  I. 
Done  into  verse,  1653. 

Blessed  is  the  man  who  hath  not  walked  astray 

In  council  of  the  wicked,  and  i'  the  way 

Of  sinners  hath  not  stood,  and  in  the  seat 

Of  scorners  hath  not  sat.     But  in  the  great 

Jehovah's  law  is  ever  his  delight. 

And  in  his  law  he  studies  day  and  night. 

He  shall  be  as  a  tree  which  planted  grows 

By  watery  streams,  and  in  his  season  knows 

To  yield  his  fruit,  and  his  leaf  shall  not  fall. 

And  what  he  takes  in  hand  shall  prosper  all. 

Not  so  the  wicked,  but  as  chaff  which  fanned 

The  wind  drives,  so  the  wicked  shall  not  stand 

In  judgment,  or  abide  their  trial  then. 

Nor  sinners  in  the  assembly  of  just  men. 

For  the  Lord  knows  the  upright  way  of  the  just  J 

And  the  way  of  bad  men  to  ruin  must. 


PSALM  IL 
Done  August  8,  1653. 

Terzette. 


Why  do  the  Gentiles  tumult,  and  the  nations 

Muse  a  vain  thing,  the  kings  of  the  earth  upstand 
"With  power,  and  princes  in  their  congregations 

Lay  deep  their  plots  together  through  each  land  * 

(483) 


484  PSALMS. 

Against  the  Lord  and  his  Messiah  dear  ? 

Let  ns  break  off,  say  they,  by  strength  of  hand 

Their  bonds,  and  cast  from  us,  no  more  to  wear. 
Their  twisted  cords  :  he  who  in  Heaven  dotli  dwell 
Shall  laugh,  the  Lord  sliall  scoff  them,  then  severe 

Speak  to  them  in  his  wrath,  and  in  his  fell 
And  fierce  ire  trouble  them  ;  but  I,  saith  he, 
Anointed  have  my  King  (though  ye  rebel) 

On  Sion  my  holy  hill.     A  firm  decree 
I  will  declare :  the  Lord  to  me  hath  said, 
Thou  art  my  Son,  I  have  begotten  thee 

This  day  ;  ask  of  me,  and  the  grant  is  made ; 
As  thy  possession  I  on  thee  bestow 

*    The  Heathen,  and  as  thy  conquest  to  be  swayed 

Earth's  utmost  bounds  :  them  shalt  thou  bring  full  low 
With  iron  sceptre  bruised,  and  them  disperse 
Like  to  a  potter's  vessel  shivered  so. 

And  now  be  wise  at  length,  ye  kings  averse  ; 
Be  taught,  ye  judges  of  the  earth  ;  with  fear 
Jehovah  serve,  and  let  your  joy  converse 

With  trembling ;  kiss  the  Son,  lest  he  appear 
In  anger,  and  ye  perish  in  the  way, 
If  once  his  wrath  take  fire  like  fuel  sei-e. 

Happy  all  those  who  have  in  him  their  stay. 


PSALM  in. 
August  9,  1653. 

When  he  fled  from  Absalom. 

Lord,  how  many  are  my  foes  ! 
How  many  those 
That  in  arms  against  me  rise ! 
Many  are  they 
That  of  my  life  distrustfully  doth  say, 
No  help  for  him  in  God  there  lies. 
But  thou,  Lord,  ait  my  shield,  my  glory, 
Thee  through  my  story 


PSALMS.  485 

The  exalter  of  my  head  I  count ; 
Aloud  I  cried 
Unto  Jcliovali,  he  full  soon  replied, 
And  heard  me  from  his  hol^  mount. 
I  lay  and  slept,  I  Avaked  again ; 
For  my  sustain 
•   Was  the  Lord.     Of  many  millions 

The  populous  rout 
I  fear  not,  though  encamping  round  about 
They  ))itch  against  me  their  pavilions. 
Rise,  Lord,  save  me,  my  God,  for  thou 
Hast  smote  ere  now 
On  the  cheek-hone  all  my  foes. 
Of  men  abhorred 
Hast  broke  the  teeth.     This  help  was  from  the  Lord  ; 
Thy  blessing  on  thy  people  flows. 


PSALM  IV. 

August  10,  1653. 

Answer  me  when  I  call, 
God  of  my  righteousness, 
In  straits  and  in  distress 
Thou  didst  me  disenthrall 
And  set  at  large ;  now  spare, 

Now  pity  me,  and  hear  my  earnest  prayer. 

Great  ones,  how  long  will  ye 
My  glory  have  in  scora. 
How  long  be  thus  forborne 
Still  to  love  vanity. 
To  love,  to  seek,  to  prize 

Things  false  and  vain,  and  nothing  else  but  lies? 
Yet  know  the  Lord  hath  chose. 
Chose  to  himself  apart, 
The  good  and  meek  of  heart 
(For  whom  to  choose  he  knows)  ; 
Jehovah  from  on  high 

Will  hear  my  voice  what  time  to  him  I  cry. 


486  PSALMS. 

Be  awed,  and  do  not  sin, 
Speak  to  your  hearts  alone, 
Upon  your  beds,  each  one, 
And  be  at  peace  within.. 
Offer  the  offerings  just 

Of  righteousness,  and  in  Jehovah  trust. 

Many  there  be  that  say, 
Who  yet  will  show  us  good  ? 
Talking  like  this  world's  bi-ood ; 
But,  Lord,  thus  let  me  pray, 
On  us  lift  up  the  light, 

Lift  up  the  the  favour  of  thy  countenance  bright. 

Into  my  heart  more  joy 
And  gladness  thou  hast  put, 
Than  when  a  year  of  glut 
Their  stores  doth  over-clov, 
And  from  their  plenteous  grounds 

With  vast  increase  their  corn  and  wine  abounds. 

In  peace  at  once  will  I 
Both  lay  me  down  and  sleep, 
For  thou  alone  dost  keep 
Me  safe  where'er  I  lie  : 
As  in  a  rocky  cell 

Thou,  Lord,  alone  in  safety  mak'st  me  dwell. 


PSALM  V. 

August  12,  1653. 

Jbhovah,  to  my  words  give  ear. 
My  meditation  weigh ; 
The  voice  of  my  complaining  hear, 
My  King  and  God  ;  for  unto  thee  I  pray. 
Jehovah,  thou  my  early  voice 
Shall  in  the  morning  hear, 
r  the  morning  I  to  thee  with  choice 
Will  rank  my  prayers,  and  watch  till  thou  appear. 
For  thou  art  not  a  God  that  takes 
In  wickedness  delight, 


PSALMS. 


487 


Evil  with  thee  no  biding  makes. 
Fools  or  mad  men  stand  not  within  thy  sight. 
All  workers  of  iniquity 

Thou  hat'st ;  and  them  unblest 
Thou  wilt  destroy  that  speak  a  lie ; 
The  bloody  and  guileful  man  God  doth  detest. 
But  I  will  in  thy  mercies  d^ar, 
Thy  numerous  mercies,  go 
Into  thy  house  ;  I  in  thy  fear 
Will  towards  thy  holy  temple  worship  low. 
Lord,  lead  me  in  thy  righteousness. 

Lead  me  because  of  those 
That  do  observe  if  I  transgress  ; 
Set  thy  ways  right  before,  -w^iere  my  step  goes. 
For  in  his  faltering  mouth  unstable 

No  word  is  firm  or  sooth  ; 
Their  inside,  troubles  miserable  ; 
An  open  grave  their  throat,  their  tongue  they  smooth. 
God,  find  them  guilty,  let  them  fall 

By  their  own  counsels  quelled ; 
Push  them  in  their  rebellions  all 
Still  on  ;  for  against  thee  they  have  rebelled. 
Then  all  who  trust  in  thee  shall  bring 

Their  joy  ;  while  thou  from  blame 
Defend'st  them,  they  shall  ever  sing 
And  shall  triumph  in  thee,  who  love  thy  name. 
For  thou,  Jehovah,  wilt  be  found 

To  bless  the  just  man  still ; 
As  with  a  shield  thou  wilt  surround 
Him  with  thy  lasting  favour  and  good  will. 


PSALM  VI. 
August  13,  1653. 


Lord,  in  thine  anger  do  not  reprehend  me, 
Nor  in  thy  hot  displeasure  me  correct ; 
Pity  me.  Lord,  for  I  am  much  deject. 
And  very  weak  and  faint ;  heal  and  amend  me: 
For  all  my  bones,  that  even  with  anguish  ache, 


488  PSALMS. 

Are  troubled,  yea  my  soul  is  troubled  sore, 

And  thou,  O  Lord,  how  long  ?  turn.  Lord,  restore 
My  soul ;  oh,  save  me  for  thy  goodness  sake  : 
For  in  death  no  remembrance  is  of  thee  ; 

Who  in  the  grave  can  celebrate  tliy  praise  ? 

Wearied  I  am  with  sighing  out  my  days, 
Nightly  my  couch  I  make  a  kind  of  sea  ; 
My  bed  I  water  with  my  tears ;  mine  eye 

Through  grief  consumes,  is  waxen  old  and  dark 

I'  the  midst  of  all  mine  enemies  that  mark. 
Depart  all  ye  that  work  iniquity, 
Depart  from  me  ;  for  the  voice  of  my  weeping 

The  Lord  hath  heard,  the  Lord  hath  heard  my  prayer, 

My  supplication  with  acceptance  fair 
The  Lord  will  own,  and  have  me  in  his  keeping. 
Mine  enemies  shall  all  be  blank  and  dashed 

With  much  confusion ;  then  grown  red  with  shame. 

They  shall  return  in  haste  the  way  they  came, 
And  in  a  moment  shall  be  quite  abashed. 


PSALM  VII. 
August  14,  1653. 

Upon  the  words  of  Chush  the  Benjamite  against  him. 

Lord,  my  God,  to  thee  I  fly  ; 
Save  me  and  secure  me  under 
Thy  protection  while  I  cry. 
Lest  as  a  lion  (and  no  Avonder) 
He  haste  to  tear  my  soul  asunder, 
Tearing  and  no  rescue  nigh. 

Lord,  my  God,  if  I  have  thought 
Or  done  this  ;  if  wickedness 
Be  in  my  hands,  if  I  have  wrought 
111  to  him  that  meant  me  peace, 
Or  to  him  have  rendered  less. 
And  not  freed  my  foe  for  nought ; 


PSALMS.  439 

Let  the  enemy  pursue  my  soul 
And  overtake  it ;  let  bim  tread 
My  life  down  to  the  earth,  and  roll 
lu  tlie  dust  my  glory  dead, 
In  the  dust ;  and,  there  outspread, 
Lodge  it  with  dishonour  foul. 

Rise,  Jehovah,  in  thine  ire, 

Rouse  thyself  amidst  the  rage 

Of  my  foes  that  urge  like  fire ; 

And  wake  for  me,  their  fury  assuage ; 

Judgment  here  thou  didst  engage 

And  command,  which  I  desii-e. 

So  the  assemblies  of  each  nation 
Will  surround  thee,  seekincr  rielit, 
1  hence  to  thy  glorious  habitation 
Return  on  high,  and  in  their  sight. 
Jehovah  judgeth  most  upright 
All  people  from  the  world's  foundation. 

Judge  me,  Lord,  be  judge  in  this 
According  to  my  righteousness, 
And  the  innocence  which  is 
Upon  me :  cause  at  length  to  cease 
Of  evil  men  tlie  wickedness 
And  their  power  that  do  amiss. 

But  the  just  establish  fast, 

Since  thou  art  the  just  God  that  tries 

Hearts  and  reins.     On  God  is  cast 

My  defence,  and  in  him  lies. 

In  him  who  both  just  and  wise 

Saves  the  upright  of  heart  at  last. 

God  is  a  just  judge  and  severe, 

And  God  is  every  day  offended ; 

If  the  unjust  will  not  forbear. 

His  sword  he  whets,  his  bow  hath  bended 

Already,  and  for  him  intended 

The  tools  of  death,  that  waits  him  near. 


490  PSALMS. 

,  (His  arrows  purposely  made  he 

For  them  that  persecute.)     Behold 
He  travels  big  Avith  vanity, 
Trouble  he  hath  conceived  of  old 
As  in  a  womb,  and  from  that  mould 
Hath  at  length  brought  forth  a  lie. 

He  digged  a  pit,  and  delved  it  deep, 

And  fell  into  the  pit  he  made ; 

His  mischief  that  due  course  doth  keep. 

Turns  on  his  head,  and  his  ill  trade 

Of  violence  will,  undelayed. 

Fall  on  his  crown  with  ruin  steep. 

Then  will  I  Jehovah's  praise 
According  to  his  justice  raise, 
And  sing  the  Name  and  Deity 
Of  Jehovah  the  most  high. 


PSALM  vni. 

August  14,  1653. 

0  Jehovah  our  Lord,  how  wondrous  great 
And  glorious  is  thy  name  through  all  the  earth  1 

So  as  above  the  heavens  thy  praise  to  set 
Out  of  the  tender  mouths  of  latest  birth. 

Out  of  the  mouths  of  babes  and  sucklings  thou 
Hast  founded  strength  because  of  all  thy  fbes, 

To  stint  the  enemy,  and  slack  the  avenger's  brow, 
That  bends  his  rage  thy  providence  to  oppose. 

When- 1  behold  thy  heavens,  thy  fingers'  art. 

The  moon  and  stars  Avhich  thou  so  bright  hast  set 

In  the  pure  firmament,  then  saith  my  heart, 
Oh,  what  is  man  that  thou  rememberest  yet, 

And  think'st  upon  him  ;  or  of  man  begot, 

That  him  thou  visit'st,  and  of  him  art  found  ? 

Scarce  to  be  less  than  gods,  thou  mad'st  his  lot. 

With  honour  and  with  state  thou  hast  him  crowned. 


PSALMS.  491 

O'er  the  works  of  thy  hand  thou  mad'st  him  lord, 

Thou  hast  put  all  under  his  lordly  feet, 
All  flocks,  and  herds,  by  thy  commanding  word. 

All  beasts  that  in  the  field  or  forest  meet. 

Fowl  of  the  heavens,  aud  fish  that  through  the  wet 
Sea  paths  in  shoals  do  slide,  and  know  no  dearth. 

O  Jehovah  our  Lord,  how  wondrous  great 

And  glorious  is  thy  name  through  all  the  earth ! 


April,  1648.    J.  M. 

[Nine  of  the  Psalms  done  into  metre,  wherein  all,  bnt  what  is  in  a  differ- 
ent character,  are  the  very  words  of  the  text,  translated  from  the 
original.  ] 

PSALM  LXXX. 

1  Thou  Shepherd  that  dost  Israel  heepy 

Give  ear  in  time  of  need, 
Who  leadest  like  a  flock  of  sheep 

Thy  loved  Joseph's  seed. 
That  sitt'st  between  the  cherubs  bright^ 

between  their  icings  out-spread^ 
Shine  forth,  and  from  thy  cloud  give  lights 

And  on  otir  foes  thy  dread. 

2  In  Ephraim's  view  and  Benjamin's, 

And  in  Manasse's  sight. 
Awake  thy  strength,  come,  and  he  seen 

To  save  us  by  thy  might. 
8  Turn  us  again,  thy  grace  diviyie 

To  us,  O  God,  vozichsafe  ; 
Cause  thou  thy  face  on  us  to  shine, 

And  then  we  shall  be  safe, 

4  Lord  God  of  Hosts,  how  long  wilt  thou, 

How  long  wilt  thou  declare 
Thy  smoking  wrath,  and  angry  brow 
Against  thy  people's  prayer ! 

5  Thou  feed'st  them  with  the  bread  of  tears, 

Their  bread  with  tears  they  eat. 
And  mad'st  them  largely  drink  the  tears 
Wherewith  their  cheeks  are  wet. 


492  PSALMS. 

6  A  strife  thon  mak'st  us  and  a  prey 

To  every  neighbour  foe, 
Amongst  themselves  they  laugh,  they  play, 
And  flouts  at  us  they  throw. 

7  Return  us,  and  thy  grace  divine^ 

O  God  of  Hosts,  vouchsafe, 
Cause  thou  thy  face  on  us  to  shine, 
And  then  we  shall  be  safe. 

8  A  vine  from  Egypt  thou  hast  brought. 

Thy  free  love  made  it  thine, 
And  drov'st  out  nations,  proud  and  haut^ 
To  plant  this  lovely  vine. 

9  Thou  didst  prepare  for  it  a  place, 

And  root  it  deep  and  fast, 
That  it  began  to  groio  apace. 
And  filled  the  land  at  last. 

10  With  her  green  shade  that  covered  aU^ 

The  hills  were  overspread. 
Her  boughs  as  high  as  cedars  tall 
Advanced  their  lofty  head. 

11  Her  branches  on  the  loestern  side 

Down  to  the  sea  she  sent. 
And  upward  to  that  river  xoide 
Her  other  branches  xoent. 

12  Why  hast  thou  laid  her  hedges  low, 

And  broken  down  her  fence, 
That  all  may  pluck  her,  as  they  go, 
With  rudest  violence  ? 

13  The  tusked  boar  out  of  the  wood 

Upturns  it  by  the  roots, 
Wild  beasts  there  browse,  and  make  their  food 
Jler  grapes  and  tender  shoots. 

14  Return  now,  God  of  Hosts,  look  down 

From  Heaven,  thy  seat  divine, 
Behold  us,  hut  icithout  afroion, 
And  visit  this  thy  vine. 

15  Visit  this  vine,  which  thy  right  hand 

Hath  set,  and  ])lanted  long. 
And  the  young  branch,  that  for  thyself 
Thou  hast  made  firm  and  strong. 


PSALMS.  493 


16  But  now  it  is  consumed  with  fire. 

And  cut  with  cixeti  down  ; 
They  perisli  at  tliy  dreadful  ire, 
At  tliy  rebuke  and  frown. 

17  Upon  tlie  man  of  thy  right  hand 

Let  tliy  (/ood  hand  be  laid., 
Upon  the  son  of  man,  m  horn  tliou 
Strong  for  thyself  hast  made. 

18  So  shall  we  not  go  back  from  thee 

To  wai/s  of  sin  and  shame  / 
Quicken  us  thou,  then  gladly  we 
Shall  call  upon  thy  name. 

19  Return  us,  and  thy  grace  divine, 

Lord  God  of  Hosts,  vouchsafe. 
Cause  thou  thy  face  on  us  to  shine, 
And  then  we  shall  be  safe. 


PSALM  LXXXI. 

To  God  our  strengtii  sing  loud,  and  clear. 

Sing  loud  to  God  o\ir  King, 
To  Jacob's  God,  tJiat  all  may  hear. 

Loud  acclamations  ring. 
Prepare  a  hymn,  prepare  a*song. 

The  timbi-el  hither  bring, 
The  cheerful  psaltery  bring  along. 

And  hai-p  icith  ])leasant  string. 
Blow,  as  is  loont,  in  the  new  moon 

With  trumpets'  lofty  sound, 
The  ap])ointed  time,  the  day  whereon 

Our  solemn  feast  comes  round. 
This  Avas  a  statute  given  of  old 

For  Israel  to  observe, 
A  law  of  Jacob's  God,  to  hold, 

From  v^hence  they  might  not  swerve. 
This  he  a  testimony  ordained  • 

In  Jose])h,  not  to  change, 
When  as  he  passed  through  Egypt  land  ; 

The  tongue  I  heard  was  strange. 


404  PSALMS. 

6  From  burden,  and  from  slavish  toil, 

I  set  his  shoulder  free  : 
His  hands  from  pots,  and  miry  soil^ 
Delivered  were  by  me. 

7  When  trouble  did  thee  sore  assail. 

On  me  then  didst  thou  call, 
And  I  to  free  thee  did  not  fail^ 

And  led  thee  out  of  thrall. 
I  answered  thee  in  thunder  deep 

With  clouds  encompassed  round; 
I  tried  thee  at  the  water  steep 

Of  Meribah  renoioned. 

8  Hear,  O  my  people,  hearken  well., 

I  testify  to  thee, 
TTiou  ancient  stock  of  Israel, 
If  thou  wilt  list  to  me, 

9  Throughout  the  land  of  thy  abode 

No  alien  god  shall  be. 
Nor  shalt  thou  to  a  foreign  god 
In  honour  bend  thy  knee. 

10  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  which  broughft 

Thee  out  of  Egypt  land  ; 
Ask  large  enough,  and  I,  besought^ 
Will  grant  thy  full  demand. 

11  And  yet  my  people  would  not  hear. 

Nor  hearken  to  my  voice  ; 
And  Israel,  xchom  I  loved  so  dear., 
Misliked  me  for  his  choice. 

12  Then  did  I  leave  them  to  their  will, 

And  to  their  wandering  mind  ; 
Their  own  conceits  they  followed  still, 
Thir  own  devices  blind. 

13  Oh,  that  my  people  would  be  wise, 

To  serve  me  all  their  days  ! 
And  oh,  that  Israel  would  advise 
To  walk  my  righteous  ways  ! 

14  Then  Avould  I  soon  bring  down  their  foes. 

That  now  so  pro%idly  rise, 
And  turn  my  hand  against  all  those 
That  are  their  enemies. 


PSALMS.  4^ 

15  Who  hate  the  Lord  should  then  be  fain 

T   bow  to  him  and  bend ; 
But  they^  his  people,  should  remain^ 
Their  time  shoukl  have  no  end. 

16  And  he  would  feed  them/rom  the  shock 

With  flour  of  finest  wheat, 

And  satisfy  them  from  the  rock 

With  honey /or  their  meat. 


PSALM  LXXXII. 

1  God  in  the  great  assembly  stands 

Of  kings  and  lordly  states, 
Among  the  gods,  on  both  his  hands 
He  judges  and  debates. 

2  How  long  will  ye  pervert  the  right 

With  judgment  false  and  wrong, 
Favouring  the  wicked  by  your  might. 
Who  thence  grow  bold  and  strong  ? 
8  Regard  the  weak  and  fatherless, 
Despatch  the  poor  man's  cause, 
And  raise  the  man  in  deep  distress 
By  just  and  equal  laws, 
4  Defend  the  poor  and  desolate, 
And  rescue  from  the  hands 
Of  wicked  men  the  low  estate 
Of  him  that  help  demands. 
6  They  know  not,  nor  will  understand, 
In  darkness  they  walk  on ; 
The  earth's  foundations  all  are  moved, 
And  out  of  order  gone. 

6  I  said  that  ye  were  gods,  yea  all 

The  sons  of  God  Most  High ; 

7  But  ye  shall  die  like  men,  and  fall 

As  other  princes  die. 

8  Rise,  God,  judge  thou  the  earth  in  mighty 

This  wicked  earth  redress. 
For  thou  art  he  who  shalt  by  right 
The  nations  all  possess. 


496  PSALMS. 

PSALM  LXXXIII. 

1  Be  not  thou  silent  noto  at  lengthy 

O  God,  hold  not  thy  peace  ; 
Sit  thou  not  still,  O  God  of  strength^ 
We  cry,  and  do  not  cease. 

2  For  lo,  ^y  furious  foes  now  swell, 

And  storm  outrageously; 
And  they  that  hate  thee,  proud  andfell^ 

Exalt  their  heads  full  high. 
8  Against  thy  people  they  contrive 

Their  plots  and  counsels  deep, 
Them  to  ensnare  they  chiefly  strive, 

Whom  thou  dost  hide  and  keep. 
4  Come,  let  us  cut  them  off,  say  they. 

Till  they  no  nation  be  ; 
That  Israel's  name  for  ever  may 

Be  lost  in  memory. 
6  For  they  consult  with  all  their  might, 

And  all  as  one  in  mind 
Themselves  against  thee  they  unite. 

And  in  firm  union  bind. 

6  The  tents  of  Edom,  and  the  brood 

Of  scornful  Ishmael, 
Moab,  with  them  of  Hagar's  blood. 
That  in  the  desert  dwell, 

7  Gebal  and  Amnion  there  conspire^ 

And  hatefid  Amalec, 
The  Philistines,  and  they  of  Tyre, 
Whose  bounds  the  sea  doth  check. 

8  With  them  great  Ashur  also  bands 

And  doth  confirm  the  knot : 
All  these  have  lent  their  armed  hands 
To  aid  the  sons  of  Lot. 

9  Do  to  them  as  to  Midian  bold. 

That  wasted  all  the  coast. 
To  Sisera,  and  as  is  told 

Thou  didst  to  Jabin's  host, 
When  at  the  brook  of  Kishon  old 
They  were  repulsed  and  slairif 


-I- 


PSALMS.  497 

10  At  Endor  quite  cut  off,  and  rolled 

As  dung  upon  the  plain. 

11  As  Zeb  and  Oreb  evil  sped, 

So  let  their  princes  speedy 
As  Zeba  and  Zainiunna  hled^ 
So  let  their  princes  bleed. 

12  For  they  amidst  their  pride  have  said. 

By  right  now  shall  we  seize 
God's  houses,  and  will  now  invade 
Their  stately  palaces. 

13  My  God,  oh  make  them  as  a  wheel, 

N'o  quiet  let  them  find ; 
Giddy  and  restless  let  them  reel 
Like  stubble  from  the  wind. 

14  As  wheyi  an  aged  wood  takes  fire 

Which  on  a  sudden  strays. 
The  greedy  flame  runs  higher  and  higher 
Till  all  the  mountains  blaze, 

15  So  with  thy  Avhirlwind  them  pursue, 

And  with  thy  tempest  chase  ; 

16  And  till  they  yield  thee  honour  due, 

Lord,  fill  with  shame  their  face. 

17  Ashamed,  and  troubled,  let  them  be, 

Troubled  and  shamed  for  ever, 
Ever  confounded,  and  so  die 

With  shame,  a^id  ^ scape  it  never, 

18  Then  shall  they  know  that  thou,  Avhose  name 

Jehovah  is  alone. 
Art  the  most  high,  and  thou  the  same 
O'er  all  the  earth  art  one. 


PSALM  LXXXIV. 

How  lovely  are  thy  dwellings  fair 
O  Lord  of  hosts,  how  dear 

The  pleasa?it  tabernacles  are, 
Where  thou  dost  dxoell  so  near  t 
32 


49S  PSALMS. 

2  My  soul  doth  long  and  almost  die 

Thy  courts,  O  Lord,  to  see, 
My  heart  and  flesh  aloud  do  cry, 

O  living  God,  for  thee. 
8  There  even  the  sparrow  freed  from  wrong 

Hath  found  a  house  of  rest^ 
The  swallow  there,  to  lay  her  young 

Hath  built  her  brooding  nest ; 
Even  by  tby  altars,  Lord  of  Hosts, 

They  find  their  safe  abode  ; 
And  home  they  fly  from  round  the  coasts^ 

Toward  thee^  my  King,  my  God. 

4  Happy,  who  in  thy  house  i-eside, 

Where  thee  they  ever  praise, 

5  Happy,  whose  strength  in  thee  doth  bide, 

And  in  their  hearts  thy  ways. 

6  They  pass  through  Baca's  thirsty  vale, 

That  dry  and  barren  ground^ 
As  through  a  fruitful  watery  dale 
Where  springs  and  showers  abound. 

7  They  journey  on  from  strength  to  strength 

With  Joy  and  gladsome  cheer, 
Till  all  before  our  God  at  length 
In  Sion  do  appear. 

8  Lord  God  of  Hosts,  hear  now  my  prayer, 

O  Jacob's  God  give  ear  ; 

9  Thou  God,  our  shield,  look  on  the  face 

Of  thy  anointed  dear. 

10  For  one  day  in  thy  courts  to  be 

Is  better,  and  more  blest, 
Than  in  the  Joys  ofva?iity 

A  thousand  days  at  best. 
I  in  the  temple  of  my  God 

Had  rather  keep  a  door, 
Than  dwell  in  tents,  and  rich  abode. 

With  sin  for  evermore. 

11  For  God  the  Lord,  both  sun  and  shield, 

Gives  grace  and  glory  bright  ; 
No  good  from  them  shall  be  withheld 
Whose  ways  are  just  and  right. 


PSALMS.  499 

12  Lord  God  of  Hosts  that  reigrCst  on  high^ 
Tliat  mau  is  truly  blest, 
Wlio  only  on  thee  doth  rely, 
And  ill  thee  only  rest. 


PSALM  LXXXV. 

1  Thy  land  to  favor  graciously 

Thou  hast  not,  Lord,  been  slack ; 
Thou  hast  from  hard  captivity 
Returned  Jacob  back. 

2  The  iniquity  thou  didst  forgive 

That  wrought  thy  people  woe  ; 
And  all  their  sin,  that  did  thee  grieve. 
Hast  hid  where  none  shall  know. 

5  Thine  anger  all  thou  hadst  removed, 

And  calmly  didst  return 
From  thy  fierce  wrath  which  we  had  proved 

Far  worse  than  fire  to  burn. 
4  God  of  our  saving  health  and  peace, 

Turn  us,  and  us  restore  ; 
Thine  indignation  cause  to  cease 

Toward  us,  and  chide  no  more. 

6  Wilt  thou  be  angry  without  end, 

For  ever  angry  thus  ? 
Wilt  thou  thy  frowning  ire  extend 
From  age  to  age  on  us  ? 

6  Wilt  thou  not  turn,  and  hear  our  voice. 

And  us  aG;ain  revive  : 
That  so  thy  peojole  may  rejoice 
By  thee  preserved  alive. 

7  Cause  us  to  see  thy  goodness,  Lord, 

To  us  thy  mercy  shew ; 
Thy  saving  health  to  us  afford, 
A7id  life  in  us  renew. 

8  And  now  what  God  the  Lord  will  speak, 

I  will  go  straigJit  and  hear  ; 
For  to  his  people  he  speaks  peace, 
And  to  his  saints /"w/^  dear. 


500  PSALMS. 

To  his  dear  saints  he  will  speak  peace, 

But  let  them  never  more 
Retui'n  to  folly,  but  surcease 

To  trespass  as  be/ore. 
9  Surely  to  such  as  do  him  fear 

Salvation  is  at  hand  ; 
And  glory  shall  ere  lofiff  appear 

To  dwell  within  our  land. 

10  Mercy  and  Truth  that  long  were  missed 

^o^  joyfully  are  met ; 
Sweet  Peace  and  Righteousness  have  kissed, 
Aiid  hand  in  hand  are  set. 

11  Truth  from  the  earth,  like  to  a  flower. 

Shall  bud  and  blossom  then  ; 
And  Justice  from  her  heavenly  bower 
Look  down  on  mortal  men. 

12  The  Lord  will  also  then  bestow 

Whatever  thing  is  good  ; 
Our  land  shall  foi'th  in  plenty  throw 
Her  fruits  to  he  our  food. 

13  Before  him  Righteousness  shall  go, 

His  royal  harbinger : 
Then  will  he  come,  and  not  be  slow. 
His  footsteps  cannot  err. 


PSALM  LXXXVI. 

Thy  gracious  ear,  O  Lord,  incline, 

0  hear  me,  J"  thee  x>ray., 
For  I  am  poor,  and  almost  pine 

With  need,  and  sad  decay. 
Preserve  my  soul,  for  I  have  trod 

Thy  ways,  aud  loA^e  the  just ; 
Save  thou  thy  servant,  O  my  God, 

Who  still  in  thee  doth  trust. 
Pity  me.  Lord,  for  daily  thee 

1  call ;  4.  Oh,  make  rejoice 

Thy  servant's  soul ;  for.  Lord,  to  thee 
I  lift  my  soul  and  voice. 


PSALMS.  501 

5  For  thou  art  good,  thou,  Lord,  art  prone 

To  pardon,  thou  to  all 
Art  full  of  mercy,  thou  alone 
To  them  that  on  thee  call. 

6  Unto  my  supplication.  Lord, 

Give  ear,  and  to  the  cry 
Of  my  incessa?it  prayers  afford 
Tliy  hearing  graciously. 

7  I  in  the  day  of  my  distress 

Will  call  on  thee /or  aid; 
For  thou  wilt  yrant  me  free  access. 
And  answer  what  I  prayed. 

8  Like  thee  among  the  gods  is  none, 

0  Lord,  nor  any  works 

Of  all  that  other  gods  have  done 
Like  to  thy  glorious  works. 

9  The  nations  all  whom  thou  hast  made 

Shall  come,  and  all  shall  frame 
To  bow  them  low  before  thee,  Lord, 
And  glorify  thy  name. 

10  For  great  thou  art,  and  wonders  gi*eat 

By  thy  strong  hand  are  done 
Thou  in  thy  everlasting  seat 
Remainest  God  alone. 

11  Teach  me,  O  Lord,  thy  way  most  rights 

1  in  thy  truth  will  bide. 

To  fear  thy  name  my  heart  unite, 
So  shall  it  never  slide. 

12  Thee  will  I  praise,  O  Lord  my  God, 

Thee  honour  and  adore 
With  my  whole  heart,  and  blaze  abroad 
Thy  name  for  evermore. 

13  For  great  thy  mercy  is  toward  me. 

And  thou  hast  freed  my  soul, 
Even  from  the  loAvest  hell  set  free, 
From  deepest  darkness  foid. 

14  O  God  !  the  proud  against  me  rise. 

And  violent  men  are  met 
To  seek  my  life,  and  in  their  eyes 
No  fear  of  thee  have  set. 


602  PSALMS. 

15  But  thou,  Lord,  art  the  God  most  mild, 

Readiest  thy  grace  to  show, 
Slow  to  be  angry,  and  art  styled 
Most  merciful,  most  true. 

16  Oh,  turn  to  me  thy  face  at  length. 

And  me  have  mercy  on  ; 
Unto  thy  servant  give  thy  strength. 
And  save  thy  handmaid's  son. 

17  Some  sign  of  good  to  me  afford. 

And  let  my  foes  then  see, 
And  be  ashamed ;  because  thou,  Lord, 
est  help  and  comfort  me. 


PSALM  LXXXVn. 

1  Amon-g  the  holy  mountains  high 

Is  his  foundation  fast, 
There  seated  is  his  sanctuary. 
Sis  temple  there  is  placed. 

2  Sion's/a^>  gates  the  Lord  loves  more 

Than  all  the  dwellings /<:«> 
Of  Jacob's  land,  though  there  he  store^ 
And  all  within  his  care. 
S  City  of  God,  most  glorious  things 
Of  thee  abroad  are  spoke ; 

4  I  mention  Egypt,  ichere  2)roud  kings 

Did  our  forefathers  yoke  ; 
I  mention  Babel  to  my  fi-iends, 

Philistia/M?/  of  scorn. 
And  Tyre  with  Ethiop's  utmost  endsy 

Lo  this  man  there  was  born : 

5  But  twice  that  i^raise  shall  in  our  ear 

Be  said  of  Sion  last  ; 
This  and  this  man  was  born  in  her. 
High  God  shall  fix  her  fast. 

6  The  Lord  shall  write  it  in  a  scroll, 

That  ne'er  shall  be  out-worn, 
When  he  the  nations  doth  enrol, 
That  this  man  there  was  born. 


PSALMS.  503 

7  Both  they  who  sing,  and  they  who  dance, 
With  sacred  songs  are  there  ; 
In  Xh^  fresh  brooks,  and  soft  streams  glance^ 
And  all  my  fountains  clear. 


PSALM  LXXXVm. 

1  LoKD  God,  that  dost  me  save  and  keep, 

All  day  to  thee  I  cry; 
And  all  night  long  before  thee  weep. 
Before  thee  prostrate  lie. 

2  Into  thy  j^resence  let  my  prayer 

With  sighs  devout  ascend. 
And  to  my  cries  that  ceaseless  are. 

Thine  ear  Avith  favour  bend. 
8  For  cloyed  with  woes  and  trouble  store 

Surcharged  my  soul  doth  lie  ; 
My  life  at  deatNs  uncheerful  door 

Unto  the  grave  draws  nigh. 
4  Reckoned  I  am  with  them  that  pass 

Down  to  the  dismal  pit ; 
I  am  a  man,  but  Aveak,  alas  ! 

And  for  that  name  unfit. 
6  From  life  discharged  and  parted  quite 

Among  the  dead  to  sleep  / 
And  like  tlie  slain  iji  hloody  fight 

That  in  the  grave  lie  deep. 
Wliom  thou  rememberest  no  more, 

Dost  never  more  regard  ; 
Them  from  thy  hand  delivered  o'er, 

Death^s  hideous  house  hath  barred. 

6  Thou  in  the  lowest  j>\tprofou7id 

Ilast  set  me  all  forlorn, 
"Where  thickest  darkness  hovers  round. 
In  horrid  deejos  to  mourn. 

7  Thy  wrath,  from  which  no  shelter  saves. 

Full  sore  doth  press  on  me  ; 
Thou  break'st  upon  me  all  thy  waves 
And  all  thy  waves  break  me 


504  PSALMS. 

8  Thou  dost  my  friends  from  me  estrange, 

And  mak'st  me  odious, 
Me  to  them  odious,  for  they  change^ 
And  I  here  pent  up  thus. 

9  Through  sorrow,  and  affliction  great 

Mine  eye  grows  dim  and  dead  ; 
Lord,  all  the  day  I  thee  entreat, 
My  hands  to  thee  I  spread. 

10  "Wilt  thou  do  wonders  on  the  dead  ? 

Shall  the  deceased  arise. 
And  praise  thee,/*rom  their  loathsome  bed 
With  pale  arid  hollow  eyes? 

11  Shall  they  thy  loving  kindness  tell 

On  whom  the  grave  hath  hold^ 
Or  they  who  in  perdition  dwell. 
Thy  faithfulness  unfold? 

12  In  darkness  can  thy  mighty  haiid 

Or  wondi*ous  acts  be  known  ? 
Thy  justice  in  the  gloomy  land 

Of  darh  oblivion  ? 
18  But  I  to  thee,  O  Lord,  do  cry, 

Ere  yet  tny  life  he  spent  / 
And  up  to  thee  my  prayer  doth  hie. 

Each  morn,  and  thee  prevent. 

14  Why  wilt  thou.  Lord,  my  soul  forsake, 

And  hide  tliy  face  from  me, 

15  That  am  already  bruised,  and  shake 

With  terror  sent  from  thee  ? 
Bruised  and  afflicted,  and  so  low 

As  ready  to  expire  ; 
While  I  thy  terrors  undergo, 

Astonished  with  thine  ire. 

16  Thy  fierce  wrath  over  me  doth  flow. 

Thy  threatenings  cut  me  through  : 

17  All  day  they  round  about  me  go, 

Like  waves  they  me  pursue, 

18  Lover  and  friend  thou  hast  removed. 

And  severed  from  me  far  : 
They  Jly  me  now  whom  I  have  loved, 
And  as  in  darkness  are. 


rsALMS.  605 

A  PARAPHRASE   ON  PSALM  CXIV. 

[This  and  the  following  Psalm  were  done  by  the  Author  at 
fifteen  years  old.] 

When  the  blest  seed  of  Terah's  faitliful  son, 

After  long  toil,  their  liberty  had  won, 

And  past  fiom  Pharian  fields  to  Canaan  land, 

Led  by  the  strength  of  the  Almighty's  hand, 

Jehovah's  wonders  were  in  Israel  shown. 

His  praise  and  glory  were  in  Israel  known. 

That  saw  the  troubled  sea,  and  shivering  fled. 

And  sought  to  hide  his  froth-becurled  head 

Low  in  the  earth  ;  Jordan's  clear  streams  recoil, 

As  a  faint  host  that  hath  received  the  foil. 

The  high,  huge-bellied  mountains  skipped  like  rams 

Amongst  their  ewes,  the  little  hills  like  lambs. 

Why  fled  the  ocean  ?     And  why  skipped  the  mountains  ? 

Why  turned  Jordan  towards  his  crystal  fountains  ? 

Shake,  Earth !  and  at  the  presence  be  aghast 

Of  him  that  ever  was,  and  aye  shall  last ; 

That  glassy  floods  from  rugged  rocks  can  crush, 

And  make  soft  rills  from  fiery  flint-stones  gush. 


PSALM  CXXXVI. 

Let  us,  with  a  gladsome  mind, 
Praise  the  Lord,  for  he  is  kind : 

For  his  mercies  aye  endure. 

Ever  faithful,  ever  sure. 

Let  us  blaze  his  name  abroad, 
For  of  gods  he  is  the  God : 
For  his,  &c. 

Oh,  let  us  his  praises  tell, 
Who  doth  the  wrathful  tyrants  quell ; 
For  his,  &c. 

Who  with  his  miracles  doth  make 
Amaz6d  Heaven  and  earth  to  shake : 
For  his,  &c. 


506  PSALMS. 

Who  by  his  wisdom  did  create 
The  painted  heavens  so  full  of  state  : 
For  his,  &c. 

Who  did  the  solid  earth  ordain 
To  rise  above  the  watery  plain  : 
For  his,  &c. 

Who,  by  his  all  commanding  might, 
Did  fill  the  new-made  world  with  light : 
For  his,  &c. 

And  caused  the  golden-tressed  sun 
All  the  day  long  his  course  to  run  r 
'  For  his,  &c. 

The  horned  moon  to  shine  by  night, 
Amongst  her  sjmngled  sisters  bright : 
For  his,  &c. 

He,  with  his  thunder-clasping  hand. 
Smote  the  first-born  of  Egypt  land  : 
For  his,  &c. 

And  in  despite  of  Pharao  fell, 
He  brought  from  thence  his  Israel  •• 
For  his,  &c. 

The  ruddy  waves  he  cleft  in  twain 
Of  the  Erythrasan  main : 
For  his,  &c. 

The  floods  stood  still  like  walls  of  glass, 
While  the  Hebrew  bands  did  pass : 
For  his,  &c. 

But  full  soon  they  did  devour 
The  tawny  king  with  all  his  power: 
For  his,  &c. 

His  chosen  people  he  did  bless 
In  the  wasteful  wilderness : 
For  his,  &c. 


PSALMS.  507 

In  bloody  battle  he  brought  down 
Kings  of  prowess  and  I'enown  : 
For  his,  &c. 

He  foiled  bold  Seon  and  his  host, 
That  ruled  the  Amorrean  coast : 
For  his,  &c. 

And  large-limbed  Og  he  did  subdue, 
With  all  his  over-hardy  crew  : 
For  his,  &c. 

And  to  his  servant  Israel, 
He  gave  their  land  therein  to  dwell : 
For  his,  &c. 

He  hath,  with  a  piteous  eye 
Beheld  us  in  our  misery : 
For  his,  &c. 

And  freed  us  from  the  slavery 
Of  the  invading  enemy  : 
For  his,  &c. 

All  living  creatures  he  doth  feed, 
And  with  full  hand  supplies  their  need : 
For  his,  &c. 

Let  us  therefore  warble  forth 
His  mighty  majesty  and  worth : 
For  his,  &c. 

That  his  mansion  hath  on  high 
Above  the  reach  of  mortal  eye  t 

For  his  mercies  aye  endure. 

Ever  faithful,  ever  sure. 


JOHANNIS    MILTONI. 

LONDINENSIS 

QUORUM    PLEEAQUE    INTEA    ANNUM  ^TATIS   VIGESIMUM  CONSCRIPSIT. 


Hsec  qu£e  sequuntur  de  Authore  testimonia,  tametsi  ipse  intelligebat 
nou  tam  de  se  quam  supra  se  esse  dicta,  eo  quod  prseclaro  iugenio  viri, 
nee  non  araici  ita  fere  soleut  laudare,  ut  omnia  suis  potius  virtutibus, 
quam  veritati  congruentia  uimis  cupide  affiugaut,  noluit  tamer  horum 
egregiam  in  se  voluntatem  nou  esse  notam;  cum  alii  pra^sertim  ut  id 
faceret  magnopere  suaderent.  Dum  enim  uimiai  laudis  invidiam  totis 
ab  se  viribus  amolitur,  sibique  quod  plus  aequo  est  non  attiibutumesse 
mavult,  judicium  interim  horaiuum  cordatorum  atque  illustrium  quiu 
eummo  sibi  honori  ducat,  negare  non  potest. 

JOANNES  BAPTISTAMANSUS,MARCniO  VILLENSIS,  NEAPOLI- 

TANUS, 

AD 

JOANNEM  MlLTONroM  ANGLUM. 

TJt  mens,  forma,  decor,  facies,  mos,  si  pietas  sic, 
Non  Anglus,  vertim  hercle  Angelus  ipse  fores. 

AD    JOANNEM    MILTONEM    ANGLUM 

TBIPLICI  POESEOS  LAUBEA  CORONANDUM, 

OrcEco  nimirum,  Latina,  atque  Iletrusca,  Epigranuna  Joannis  SalsUli 

Rornani. 

Cede  Meles,  cedat  depressa  Mincius  nrna ; 

Sebetus  Tassum  desinat  usque  loqui ; 
At  Thamesis  victor  cunctis  ferat  altior  imdas, 

Nam  per  te,  Milto,  par  tribus  unus  erit. 


POEMATA.  509 

AD  JOANNEM  MILTONUM. 

Gr^cia  Mgeonidem,  jactet  sibi  Roma  Maronem, 
Anglia  Miltonum  jactat  utrique  parem. 

Selvaggi. 

AL  SIGNIOR  GIO.  MILTONI  NOBILE  INGLESE. 

Ode. 

Ergimi  air  Etra  6  Clio 

Perche  di  stelle  intrecciero  corona, 

Non  pid  del  biondo  Dio 

La  fronde  eterna  in  Pindo,  e  in  Elicona, 

Diensi  a  merto  maggior,  niaggiori  i  fregi, 

A'  celeste  virtCi  celesti  pregi. 

Non  puo  del  tempo  edace 
Rimaner  preda,  eterno  alto  valore, 
Non  puo  V  obiio  rapaee 
Furar  dalle  luemorie  eccelso  onore  ; 
Su  r  arco  di  mia  cetra  un  dardo  forte 
Virtii  m'  adatti,  e  feriro  la  morte. 

Del  Ocean  profondo 

Cinta  dagli  ampi  gorghi  Anglia  resiede 

Separata  dal  mondo, 

Pero  che  il  suo  valor  I'umana  eccede : 

Questa  seconda  sa  produrre  Eroi, 

Cli'  hanno  a  ragion  del  sovruman  tra  noL 

Alia  virtti  sbandita 

Danno  ne  i  petti  lor  fido  ricetto, 

Quella  gli  c  sol  gradita, 

Perche  in  lei  san  trovar  gioia  e  diletto ; 

Ridillo  tu,  Giovanni,  e  mostra  in  tan  to 

Con  tua  vera  virtd,  vero  il  mio  canto, 

Lungi  dal  patrio  lido 

Spinse  Zeusi  1'  industre  ardente  brama ; 

Ch'  udio  d'  Helena  il  grido 

Con  aurea  tromba  rimljonibar  la  faraa, 

E  per  poterla  effi  glare  al  paro 

Dalle  pid  belle  Idee  trasse  il  pifi  raro. 


I 


610  POEM  AT  A. 

Cosi  1'  ape  ingegnosa 

Trae  con  industria  il  suo  liquor  pregiato 

Dal  giglia  e  dalla  rosa, 

E  quanti  vaghi  fieri  ornano  il  prato ; 

Formano  un  dolce  suon  diverse  chorde. 

Fan  varie  voci  melodia  coneorde. 

Di  bella  gloria  amante 

Milton  dal  Ciel  natio  per  varie  parti 

Le  peregrine  piante 

Volgesti  a  ricercar  scienze,  ed  arti ; 

Del  Gallo  regnator  vedesti  i  regni, 

E  dell'  Italia  ancor  gP  Eroi  pitl  degnL 

Fabro  quasi  divino 

Sol  virtCi  rintracciando  il  tuo  pensiero 

Vide  in  ogni  confino 

Chi  di  nobil  valor  calca  il  sentiero  ; 

L'  ottimo  dal  miglior  dopo  scegliea 

Per  fabbricar  d'ogni  virtu  1'  idea. 

Quanti  nacquero  in  Flora 

0  in  lei  del  parlar  Tosco  appreser  1'  arte 
La  cui  memoi'ia  onora 

II  mondo  fatta  eterna  in  dotte  carte, 
Volesti  ricercar  per  tuo  tcsoro, 
E  parlasti  con  lor  nell'  ojire  loro 

Nell'  altera  Babelle 

Per  to  il  parlar  confuse  Giove  m  vano, 

Che  per  varie  favelle 

Di  se  stessa  trofeo  cadde  su  '1  piano  : 

Ch'  ode  oltr'  all'  Anglia  il  suo  pid  degno  idioma 

Spagna,  Francia,  Toscana,  e  Grecia,  e  Roma. 

1  pifi  pi'ofondi  arcani 

Ch'  occulta  la  natura  e  in  cielo  e  in  terra 
Cli'  a  ingegni  sovruraani 
Troppo  avara  tal'  hor  gli  chiude,  e  serra, 
Chiararnente  conosci,  e  giungi  al  fine 
Delia  moral  virtude  al  gran  confine. 


POEM  ATA.  511 

Non  batta  il  Tempo  1'  ale, 

Fcrmisi  inimoto,  e  in  un  fermin  si  gl'  anni, 

Che  di  virtii  immortale 

Scorron  di  troppo  ingiuriosi  a  i  danni ; 

Che  s'  opre  degne  di  poenia  o  storia 

Furou  gia,  1'  hai  presenti  alia  memoria. 

Dammi  tua^dolce  cetra 

Se  vuoi  ch'  io  dica  del  tuo  dolce  canto, 

Ch'  inalzandoti  all'  Etra 

Di  farti  huomo  celeste  ottiene  il  vanto, 

II  Tamigi  il  dira  che  gl'  e  concesso 

Per  te,  sue  cigno,  parrcggiar  Permesso. 

I  o  che  in  riva  del  Arno 

Tento  s])iegar  tuo  merto  alto  e  preclaro, 

So  che  fatico  indarno, 

E  ad  ammirar,  non  a  lodarlo  iniparo  ; 

Freno  dunque  la  lingua,  e  ascolto  il  core 

Che  ti  prende  a  lodar  con  lo  stupore. 

Del  sig.  Antonio  Fkancini, 

Gentilhuomo  Fiorentino. 


JOANNI  MILTONI 

LOJTDINENSI : 

Jvveni  patria,  virtutibiis,  eximio, 

ViJio  qui  multa  peregrin atione,  studio  cuncta  orbis 
terrarum  loca  perspexit,  ut  novus  Ulysses  omnia  ubique 
ab  omnibus  apprchenderet : 

Polyglotto,  in  cujus  ore  lingua?  jam  dcpcrditw  sic  rc- 
viviscunt,  \\t  idiomata  omnia  sint  in  ejus  laudibus  infa- 
cunda ;  et  jure  ea  percallet,  ut  admirationcs  ct  plausus 
populorum  ab  propria  sapientia  cxcitatos  intolliiiat : 

Illi,  cujus  animi  dotes  corporisque  seiisus  ad  ndniira- 
tionem  commovent,  et  per  ipsam  motum  cuique  aufcrunt ; 
cujus  opera  ad  plausus  hortantur,  sed  venustate  vocem 
laudatoribus  adimuut. 


512  POEMATA. 

Cui  in  memoria  totus  orbis ;  in  intellectu  sapientia ; 
in  voluntate  ardor  gloriae ;  in  ore  eloquentia ;  harinonicos 
coelestiura  sphaerarum  sonitus  astrononiia  duce  audienti ; 
characteres  mirabilium  naturae  per  quos  Dei  magnitudo 
describitur  raagistra  philosophia  legenti ;  antiquitatum 
latebras,  vetustatis  excidia,  eruditionis  ambages,  comite 
assidua  auctorum  lectione, 

"  Exquirenti,  restauranti,  percurreuti. 
At  cur  nitor  in  arduum  ?  " 

Illi  in  cujus  virtutibus  evulgandis  era  Famre  non  suffi- 
ciant,  nee  homiuum  stupor  in  laudandis  satis  est,  rever- 
entise  et  amoris  ergo  hoc  ejus  meritis  debitum  admira- 
tionis  tributum  offert  Carolus  Datus,  Patricius  Floren- 
tiuus, 

Tanto  homini  servus,  tantae  virtutis  amator. 


Clegtarnm  %ikx  ^tiranis. 


ELEGIA  PRIMA 
Ad  Carolum  Deodatum. 

Tandem,  chare,  tuae  mihi  pervenere  tabellae 

Pertulit  et  voces  nuncia  chavta  tuas ; 
Pertulit,  occidua  Deva3  Cestrensis  ab  ora 

Vergivium  prono  qua  petit  ainne  salum, 
Multum,  crede,  juvat  terras  aluisse  remotas 

Pectus  amans  nostri,  tamque  fidele  caput, 
Quodque  mihi  lepidura  teUus  longinqua  sodalem 

Debet,  at  unde  brevi  reddere  jussa  velit. 
Me  tenet  urbs  reflua  quam  Thamesis  alluit  unda, 

Meque  ncc  invitum  patria  dulcis  habct. 
Jam  nee  arundiferum  mihi  cura  revisere  Camum, 

Nee  dudum  vetiti  me  laris  augit  amor. 
Nuda  nee  arva  placent,  umbrasque  negantia  molles  : 

Quam  male  Phoebicolis  convenit  ille  locus  ! 
Nee  duri  libet  usque  minas  perferre  magistri, 

Caeteraque  ingenio  non  subeunda  meo. 
Si  sit  hoc  exilium  patrios  adiisse  penates, 

Et  vacuum  curis  otia  grata  sequi, 
Non  ego  vel  profugi  nomei),  sdrtemve  recuse, 

La3tus  et  exilii  conditione  fruor. 
O  utinam  vates  nunquam  graviora  tulisset 

Ille  Tomitano  flebilis  exul  agro  ; 
Non  tunc  lonio  quicquam  cessisset  Homero. 

Neve  foret  victo  laus  tibi  prima  Maro. 


514  ELEGIARUM   LIBER   PRIMUS. 

Tempora  nam  licet  hie  placidis  dare  libera  Musis, 

Et  totum  rapiimt  me  mca  vita  libi'i. 
Excipit  bine  fessum  sinuosi  pompa  tbeatri, 

Et  vocat  ad  ]ilausus  garrula  scena  suos. 
Seu  catus  auditui-  senior,  sen  prodigus  hrei-es, 

Seu  2:>rocus,  aut  posita  casside  miles  adest, 
Sive  decennali  fa3cundus  lite  patroniis 

Detonat  inculto  barbara  verba  foro  ; 
Sa3pe  vafer  gnato  succurrit  servus  amanti, 

Et  nasum  rigidi  fallit  ubique  patris ; 
Saepe  novos  illic  virgo  mirata  calores 

Quid  sit  amor  nescit,  dura  quoque  nescit,  amat. 
Sive  cruentatum  furiosa  Tragoedia  sceptrum 

Quassat,  et  effusis  crinibus  ora  rotat, 
Et  dolet,  et  spccto,  juvat  et  spcctasse  dolendo, 

Interdum  et  laerymis  dulcis  amaror  inest : 
Seu  pucr  infelix  indelibata  reliquit 

Gaudia,  et  abrupto  flendus  amore  cadit ; 
Seu  ferus  e  tenebris  iterat  Styga  criminis  ultor, 

Conscia  funereo  pectora  torre  movens  ; 
Seu  moeret  PeloiDcia  domus,  seu  nobilis  Hi, 

Aut  luit  incestos  aula  Creontis  avos. 
Sed  neque  sub  tecto  semper  nee  in  urbe  latemus, 

Irrita  nee  nobis  tempora  veris  eunt. 
if  OS  quoque  lucus  babet  viciua  consitus  ulmo, 

Atque  suburbani  nobilis  umbra  loei. 
Saspius  bie  blandas  spirantia  sidera  flammas, 

Virgineos  videas  praeteriisse  choros. 
Ab  quoties  dignse  stupid  miracula  formae, 

Quae  possit  senium  vel  reparare  Jovis ! 
Ah  quoties  vidi  superantia  lumina  gemmas, 

Atque  faces,  quotquot  volvit  uterque  polus  ; 
Collaque  bis  vivi  Pelopis  quae  bracbia  vincant, 

Quaeque  fluit  puro  nectare  tincta  via ; 
Et  deeus  eximium  frontis,  tremulosque  capillos, 

Aurea  quaa  fallax  retia  tendit  amor ; 
Pellacesque  genas,  ad  quos  byacintbina  sordet 

Purpura,  et  ipse  tui  floris,  Adoni,  rubor ! 
Cedite  laudatae  toties  Heroides  olira, 

Et  quaecunque  vagum  cepit  amica  Jovem: 


ELEGIARUM    LIBER    PRIMUS.  516 

Cedite  Achajnieniae  turrita,  f route  puellaj, 

Et  quot  Susa  colunt,  Memnoniamque  Ninon. 
Vos  etiam  Danaai  fasces  bubiuittite  Nymphae, 

Et  vos  Iliacte,  Romule^eque  nuvus. 
Nee  Porapeiauas  Tarpeia  Musa  columnas 

Jactet,  et  Ausoniis  plena  thoatra  stolis. 
Gloria  virginibus  debetur  prima  Britannis, 

Extera  sat  tibi  sit  fojmina  posse  sequi. 
Tuque  iirbs  Dardaniis,  Loudiuum,  structa  colonis, 

Turrigerum  late  conspicienda  caput, 
Tu  nimiuni  felix  intra  tua  mcenia  claudis 

Quicquid  formosi  pcndulus  orbis  liabet. 
Non  tibi  tot  ccelo  scintillant  astra  sereno, 

Endyraioncaa  turba  ministra  deag, 
Quot  tibi,  conspicua3  forniuque  auroque  puellae 

Per  niedias  radiant  turba  videnda  vias. 
Creditur  line  gerainis  venisse  invecta  colunibis 

Alma  pliaretrigero  milite  cincta  Venus, 
Huic  Cnidon,  et  riguas  Simoentis  flumiue  valles, 

Huic  Paplion,  et  roseam  post  habitura  Cypron 
Ast  ego,  dum  pueri  sinit  indulgentia  coeci, 

Moonia  quam  subito  linquere  fausta  paro ; 
Et  vitare  ])rocul  maiefidae  infamia  Circes 

Atria,  divini  Molyos  usus  ope. 
Stat  quoque  juncosas  Cami  remeare  paludes, 

Atque  itcrura  raucai  murmur  adire  scholae. 
Interea  fidi  parvum  cape  munus  amici, 

Paucaque  in  alternos  verba  coacta  raodos. 


ELEGIA  SECUNDA. 

Anno  JDtatis  17. 
In  obitian  Proeconis  Academici  Canlabrigiensis. 

Te,  qui  conspicuus  baculo  fulgente  solebas 
Palladium  toties  ore  ciere  gregein, 

Ultima  praicouum  pnecoiiem  te  quoque  sasva 
Mors  rapit,  officio  nee  favet  ipsa  suo. 

Candidiora  licet  fuerint  tibi  tempora  plurais 
Sub  quibus  accipimus  delituisse  Jovem; 


516  ELEGIARUM   LIBER   PRIMUS 

O  dignus  tamen  Ilaemonio  juvenescere  succo, 

Dignus  in  ^sonios  vivere  posse  dies, 
Dignus  quern  Stygiis  medica  revocaret  ab  undis 

Arte  Coronides,  srepe  rogante  dea. 
Tu  si  jussus  eras  acies  accire  togatas, 

Et  celer  a  Phcebo  nuntius  ire  tuo, 
Talis  in  Iliaca  stabat  Cyllenius  aula 

Alipes,  aetherea  missus  ab  arce  Patris. 
Talis  et  Eurybates  ante  ora  furentis  Achillei 

Rettulit  Atridae  jussa  severa  ducis. 
Magna  sepulchrorum  regina,  satelles  Averni, 

Saeva  nimis  Musis,  Palladi  saeva  nimis, 
Quin  illos  rapias  qui  pondus  inutile  terr 

Turba  quidem  est  telis  ista  petenda  tuis. 
Vestibus  hunc  igitur  puUis  Academia  luge, 

Et  madeant  lachrymis  nigra  feretra  tuis. 
Fundat  et  ipsa  modos  querebunda  Elegeia  tristes, 

Persouet  et  totis  nasnia  raoesta  scholis. 


ELEGIA  TERTIA, 

Anno  ^tatis  17. 
In  obitvm  Prcesulis  Wintoniensis. 

MtESTUS  eram,  et  tacitus  nullo  coniitante  sedebam, 

Ilaerebantque  animo  tristia  plura  meo, 
Protinus  en  svibiit  funesta3  cladis  imago 

Fecit  in  Angliaco  quam  Libitina  solo  ; 
Dum  procerum  ingressa  est  splendentes  marmore  turres, 

Dira  sepulchrali  mors  metuenda  face ; 
Pulsavitque  auro  gravidos  et  jaspide  muros, 

Nee  metuit  satrapum  sternere  falce  greges. 
Tunc  memini  clarique  ducis,  fratisque  verendi 

Intempestivis  ossa  creraata  rogis  : 
Et  memini  Heroura  quos  vidit  ad  aethera  raptos, 

Flerit  et  amissos  Belgia  tota  duces  : 
At  te  praecipuo  luxi,  digiiissime  Pnusul, 

Wintoniaeque  dim  gloria  magna  tuae ; 


ELEGIARUM    MKKR    PRIMUS.  517 

Dclicui  fletu,  et  tristi  sic  ore  querebar, 

Mors  fera,  Tartareo  diva  secunda  Jovi, 
Nonne  satis  quod  sylva  tiias  pcrsentiat  iras, 

Et  quod  in  herbosos  jus  tibi  detur  agros, 
Quodque  afflata  tuo  marcescant  lilia  tabo, 

Et  crocus,  et  pulchra?  Cypridi  sacra  rosa, 
Nee  sinis  ut  semper  fluvio  conterinina  quercus 

Miretur  lapsus  prajtereuntis  aquae  ? 
Et  tibi  succumbit  liquido  quae  plurima  codIo 

Evehitur  pennis  quamlibet  augur  avis, 
Et  quae  mille  nigris  errant  animalia  sylvis, 

Et  quod  alunt  rautum  Proteos  antra  pecus. 
Invida,  tanta  tibi  cum  sit  concessa  potestas ; 

Quid  juvat  humana,  tingere  caede  manus? 
Nobileque  in  pectus  certas  acuisse  sagittas, 

Semideamque  animam  sede  fugasse  sua? 
Talia  dum  lacrymans  alto  sub  pectore  volvo, 

Roscidus  occiduis  Hesperus  exit  aquis, 
Et  Tartessiaco  submcrserat  acquore  currum 

Phoebus,  ab  Eoo  littore  mensus  iter. 
Nee  mora,  membra  cavo  posui  refovenda  cubili, 

Condiderant  oculos  noxque  soporque  mcos: 
Cum  mihi  visus  eram  lato  spatiarier  agro, 

Heu  nequit  ingenium  visa  referre  meum. 
Illic  punicea  radiabant  omnia  luce, 

Ut  matutino  cum  juga  sole  rubent. 
Ac  veluti  cum  pandit  opes  Thaumantia  proles, 

Vestitu  nituit  multicolore  solum. 
Non  dea  tarn  variis  ornavit  floribus  hortos 

Alcinoi,  Zephyro  Chloris  amata  levi. 
Flumina  vernantes  lambunt  argentea  campos, 

Ditior  Hesperior  flavet  arena  Tago. 
Serpit  odoriferas  per  opes  levis  aura  Favoni, 
.  Aura  sub  innumeris  humida  nata  rosis, 
Talis  in  extremis  terrae  Gangetidis  oris 

Luciferi  regis  fingitur  esse  domus. 
Ipse  racemiferis  dum  densas  vitibus  umbras, 

Et  pellucentes  miror  ubique  locos, 
Ecce  mihi  subito  Praesul  Wintonius  astat, 

Sidereum  uitido  fukit  iu  ore  jubar; 


518  ELEGIARUM    LIBEH   PRIMUS. 

Vestis  ad  auratos  clefluxit  Candida  talos, 

Infula  divinnm  cinxerat  alba  caput, 
Dumque  senex  tali  iiicedit  venerandus  araictu, 

Iiitremuit  la^to  florea  terra  sono. 
Agniina  gemmatis  plauduut  coelestia  pennis, 

Para  triumphali  personat  rethra  tuba. 
Quisqiie  novum  amplexu  comitem  cantuque  salutat, 

Hosque  aliquis  placido  misit  ab  ore  sonos  ; 
Nate  veni,  et  patrii  felix  cape  gaudia  regni, 

Semper  ab  hinc  duro,  nate,  labore  vaca. 
Dixit,  ex  aligerae  tetigerunt  nablia  turmse, 

At  mihi  cum  tenebris  aurea  pnlsa  qnies. 
Flebam  tui'batos  Cephaleia  ])ellice  somnos, 

Talia  contingaut  somnia  soepe  mihi. 


ELEGIA  QUARTA, 
Anno  ^tatis   18. 

Ad,  Thomaji  Junrtm  prmceptorem   sintm,  apud   mercatores  Anglicos 
Hamburgai  agenles,  Pastoris  munere  fungentem. 

Cttrre  per  immensura  subito  mea  littera  poutum, 

I,  pete  Teutonieos  laeve  per  aeqnor  agros  ; 
Segnes  rumjie  moras,  et  nil,  precor,  obstet  euuti, 

Et  festinaiitis  nil  remoretur  iter. 
Ipse  ego  Sicanio  frffinantem  carcere  ventos 

^olon,  et  virides  sollicitabo  Deos, 
Ca^ruleamque  suis  comitatam  Dorida  Nyrapliis, 

tJt  tibi  dent  placidam  per  sua  regna  viam. 
At  tu,  si  poteris,  celeres  tibi  sume  jugales, 

Vecta  quibus  Colchis  fugit  ab  ore  viri ; 
Aut  quels  J'riptolemus  Scythicas  devenit  in  oraa 

Gratus  Eleusina  missus  al)  urbe  puer. 
Atque  ubi  Germanas  flavere  videbis  ai'enas, 

Ditis  ad  Hamburga3  moenia  flecte  gradum, 
Dicitur  occiso  quae  ducere  nomen  ab  Hama, 

Cirabrica  quern  fertur  clava  dedisse  neci. 
Vivit  ibi  antiquoe  clarus  pietatis  honore 

Prffisul,  Christicolas  pascere  doctus  oves  j 


ELEGIARUM    LIBER   PRIMUS.  519 

Ille  quidein  est  animae  plusquam  pars  altera  nostras ; 

Dimidio  vita3  vivere  cogor  ego. 
Hei  mihi  !  quot  pelagi,  quot  montes  interjecti, 

Me  faciunt  alia  parte  carerc  mei ! 
Charior  ille  inihi  quam  tu  doctissirae  Graium 

Cliniadi,  pronepos  qui  Telamonis  crat ; 
Quamque  Stagirites  gcneroso  magnus  alumno, 

Qucm  peperit  Lybico  Chaonis  alma  Jovi. 
Qualis  Amyntorides,  qualis  Philyreius  heros 

Myrmidonum  rcgi,  talis  et  ille  mihi. 
Primus  ego  Aonios  illo  praeeuute  recessus  • 

Lustrabam,  et  biiidi  sacra  vireta  jugi, 
Pieriosque  bausi  latices,  Clioque  favente, 

Castalio  sparsi  laeta  ter  ora  mero. 
Flammeus  at  sigiium  ter  viderat  arietis  -^thon, 

Induxitque  auro  lanea  terga  novo, 
Bisque  novo  terram  sparsisti,  Clilori,  senilem 

Gramine,  bisque  tuas  abstulit  Auster  opes  : 
Necdum  ejus  licuit  mihi  lumina  pascere  vultu, 

Aut  lingua3  dulces  aure  bibisse  sonos. 
Vade  igitur,  cursuque  Eurum  prasverte  sonorum, 

Quam  sit  opus  monitis  res  docet,  ipsa  vides. 
Invenies  dulci  cum  conjuge  forte  sedentem, 

Mulcentem  gremio  pignora  chara  suo, 
Forsitan  aut  veterum  praelarga  volumina  patrum 

Versantem,  aut  veri  biblia  sacra  Dei, 
Ccelestive  animas  saturantem  rore  tenellas, 

Grande  salutiferoD  religiouis  opus, 
Utque  solet,  multam  sit  dicere  cura  salutem, 

Dicere  quam  decuit,  si  mody  adesset,  herum. 
Haec  quoque,  paulum  oculos  in  humum  defixa  modestos, 

Verba  verecundo  sis  memor  ore  loqui : 
Hasc  tibi,  si  teneris  vacat  inter  praelia  Musis, 

Mittit  ab  Angliaco  littore  fida  mnnus. 
Accipe  sinceram,  quam  vis  sit  sera,  salutem  ; 

Fiat  et  hoc  ipso  gratior  ilia  tibi. 
Sera  quidem,  sed  vera  fuit,  quam  casta  recepit 

Icaris  a  lento  Penelopeia  viro. 
Ast  ego  quid  volui  manifestum  tollere  crimen, 

Ipse  quod  ex  omni  parte  levare  nequit? 


5"0  ELKGIARUM   LIBER   PRIMUS. 

Arguitur  tardus  merito,  noxamque  fatetur, 

Et  pudet  officinm  deseruisse  suum. 
Tu  modo  da  veniam  fasso,  veniamque  roganti, 

Crimina  diminui,  quae  patuere,  solent. 
Non  ferus  in  pavidos  rictus  diducit  liiantee, 

Vulnifico  pronos  nee  rapit  ungue  leo. 
Saepe  sarissiferi  crudelia  pectora  Thracis 
Supplicis  ad  moestas  delicuere  preces. 
Extensaeque  manus  avertunt  fulminis  ictus, 

Placat  et  iratos  hostia  parva  Deos. 
Jamque  diu  scrijisisse  tibi  fuit  impetus  illi, 

Neve  moras  ultra  ducere  passus  Amor. 
Nam  vaga  Faraa  refert,  heu  nuntia  vera  malorura  I 

In  tibi  finitimis  bella  tumere  locis, 
Teque  tuamque  urbem  truculento  milite  cingi, 

Et  jam  Saxonicos  arma  parasse  duces. 
Te  circum  lat6  campos  populatur  Enyo, 

Et  sata  carne  virvlm  jam  cruor  arva  rigat ; 
Germanisque  suum  concessit  Thracia  Martem, 

Illuc  Odrysios  Mars  pater  egit  equos  ; 
Perpetuoque  conians  jam  deflorescit  oliva, 

Fugit  et  aerisonara  Divi  perosa  tubam, 
Fugit  lo  terris,  et  jam  non  ultima  virgo 

Creditur  ad  superas  justa  volasse  domes. 
Te  tamen  interea  belli  circumsonat  horror, 

Vivis  et  ignoto  solus  inopsque  solo  ; 
Et,  tibi  quam  patrii  non  exhibuere  peuates, 

Sede  peregrina  quaeris  egenus  opem. 
Patria  dura  parens,  et  saxis  saevior  albis 

Spumea  quae  pulsat  littoris  unda  tui, 
Siccine  te  decet  innociTos  exponere  foetus, 

Siccine  in  externam  ferrea  cogis  humum, 
Et  sinis  ut  terris  quaerant  alimenta  remotis 
Quos  tibi  prospiciens  miserat  ipse  Deus, 
Et  qui  laeta  ferunt  de  ccelo  nuntia,  quique. 

Quae  via  post  cineres  ducat  ad  astra,  docent? 
Digna  quidera  Stygiis  quae  vivas  clausa  tenebris, 

^ternaque  animae  digna  perire  fame  ! 
Hand  aliter  vates  terrae  Thesbitidis  olim 
Pressit  inassueto  devia  tesqua  pede, 


ELEGIARUM    LIBEli   PUFMUS.  521 

Desertasque  Arabum  salebras,  iluin  regis  Achabi 

Effugit  atque  tuas,  Sidoni  dira,  mamis. 
Talis  et  horrisono  laceratus  membra  flagello, 

Paulus  ab  ^matliia  pellitur  iirbe  Cilix. 
Piscosa3que  ipsum  Gergessoe  civis  lusura 

Fmibus  ingratus  jussit  abire  suis. 
At  tu  sume  animos,  nee  spes  cadat  anxia  cui-is, 

Nee  tua  concutiat  decolor  ossa  metus. 
Sis  eteniin  quamvis  fulgentibiis  obsitus  armis, 

Intententque  tibi  millia  tela  necem, 
At  nullis  vel  inerrae  latus  violabitur  armis, 

Deque  tuo  cuspis  nulla  cruore  bibct. 
Namque  eris  ipse  Dei  radiante  sub  iegide  tutus, 

Ille  tibi  custos,  et  pugil  ille  tibi ; 
Ille  Sionaere  qui  tot  sub  moenibus  arcis 

Assyrios  fudit  nocte  silente  viros  ; 
Inque  fugam  vertit  quos  in  Samaritidas  oras 

Misit  ab  antiquis  prisca  Damascus  agris, 
Terruit  et  densas  pavido  cum  rege  coliortes, 

Aere  dura  vacuo  buccina  clara  sonat, 
Cornea  pulvereum  dum  verberat  ungula  campum. 

Currus  arenosam  dum  quatit  actus  huiiium, 
Auditurque  hinnitus  equorum  ad  bella  riuntura, 

Et  strepitus  ferri,  murmuraque  aita  virum. 
Et  tu  (quod  superest  miseris)  sperare  memento, 

Et  tua  magnanimo  pectore  vince  mala  ; 
Nee  dubites  quandoque  frui  melioribus  anuis, 

Atque  iterum  patrios  posse  videre  lares. 


ELEGIA  QUINTA, 

Anno  ^Etatis  20. 

In  adventum  veris. 

In  se  perpetuo  Tempus  revolubile  gyro 

Jam  revocat  Zephyros  vere  tepente  novos  ; 

Induiturque  brevem  Tellus  reparata  juventara, 
Jaraque  soluta  gelu  dulce  virescit  humus. 

Fallor?  an  et  nobis  redeunt  in  carmina  vires, 
Ingeniumque  uiibi  munere  veris  adest? 


522  ELEGIARUM    LIBER   PRIMUS. 

Munere  veris  ud est,  iterumque  vigescit  ab  illo 

(Quis  putet  ?),  atque  aliquod  jam  sibi  poscit  opus 
Castalis  ante  oculos,  bifidunique  cacimien  oberrat, 

Et  mihi  Pyrenen  somnia  nocte  ferunt ; 
Concitaque  arcano  fervent  mihi  peetora  motu, 

Et  furor,  et  sonitus  me  sacer  inttis  agit. 
Delius  ipse  vonit,  video  Peneide  lauro 

Implicitos  crines,  Delius  ipse  venit. 
Jam  mihi  mens  liquidi  raptatur  in  ardua  coeli, 

Perque  vagas  nubes  corpore  liber  eo ; 
Perque  umbras,  perque  antra  feror  penetralia  vatura, 

Et  mihi  fana  patent  interiora  Deum  ; 
Intuiturque  animus  toto  quid  agatur  Olympo, 

Nee  fugiunt  oculos  Tartara  caeca  meos. 
Quid  tam  grande  sonat  distento  spiritus  ore  ? 

Quid  parit  haec  rabies,  quid  sacer  iste  furor? 
Ver  mihi,  quod  dedit  ingenium,  cantabitur  illo ; 

Profuerint  isto  reddita  dona  modo. 
Jam  Philomela  tuos  foliis  adoperta  novellis 

Instituis  modulos,  dum  silet  omne  nemus  : 
Urbe  ego,  tti  sylva,  simul  incipiamus  utrique, 

Et  simul  adventum  veris  uterque  canat. 
Veris  lo  !  rediere  vices,  celebremus  honores 

Veris,  et  hoc  subeat  Musa  perennis  opus. 
Jam  sol  ^thiopas  fugiens  Tithoniaque  arva, 

Flectit  ad  Arctoas  aurea  lora  plagas. 
Est  breve  noctis  iter,  brevis  est  mora  noctis  opacae, 

Horrida  cum  tenebris  exulat  ilia  suis. 
Jam  que  Lycaonius  plaustrum  coeleste  Bootes 

Non  longa  sequitur  fessus  ut  ante  via ; 
Nunc  etiam  solitas  circum  Jovis  atria  toto 

Excubias  agitant  sidera  rara  polo. 
Nam  dolus,  et  coedes,  et  vis  cum  nocte  recessit, 

Neve  Giganteum  Dii  timuere  scelus. 
Forte  aliquis  scopuli  recubans  in  vertice  pastor, 

Roscida  cum  primo  sole  rubescit  humus, 
Hac,  ait,  hac  certe  caruisti  nocte  puella, 

Phoebe  tua,  celeres  quae  retineret  equos. 
Lseta  suas  repetit  sj^lvas,  pharetramque  resumit 

Cynthia,  Luciferas  ut  videt  alia  rotas, 


ELEGIARUM    LIBKK    PRIMUS.  523 

Et  tenues  ponens  radios  gaudere  videtur 

Officium  fieri  tarn  breve  fratris  ope. 
Desere,  Pbcebus  ait,  thalanios  Aurora  seniles, 

Quid  juvat  effoeto  procubuisse  tore  ? 
Te  manet  iEolides  viridi  veuator  in  herba, 

Surge,  tuos  ignes  altus  Hyniettus  habet. 
Flava  verecundo  dea  crimen  in  ore  fatetur, 

Et  matutinos  ocius  urget  equos. 
Exuit  invisam  Tcllus  rediviva  senectam, 

Et  cupit  aniplexus,  Plioibe,  subire  tuos ; 
Et  cupit,  et  digna  est.     Quid  enim  formosius  illd, 

Pandit  vit  omniferos  luxuriosa  sinus, 
Atque  Arabuni  spirat  messes,  et  ab  ore  venusto, 

Mitia  cum  Paphiis  fundit  amoma  rosis ! 
Ecce  coronatur  sacro  frons  ardua  luco, 

Cingit  ut  Idceam  pinea  turris  0])im  ; 
Et  vario  madidos  intexit  flore  capillos, 

Floribus  et  visa  est  posse  placere  suis. 
Floribus  effusos  ut  erat  redimita  capillos 

Tenario  placuit  diva  Sicana  Deo. 
Aspice,  Phoebe,  tibi  faciles  hortantur  aniores, 

Mellitasque  movent  flamina  verna  preces. 
Cinnamea  Zephyrus  leve  plaudit  odorifer  ala, 

Blanditiasque  tibi  ferre  videntur  aves, 
Nee  sine  dote  tuos  temeraria  quaerit  amores 

Terra,  ncc  optatos  poscit  egena  toros, 
Alma  salutiferum  medicos  tibi  gram  en  in  usus 

Prjebet,  et  hinc  titulos  adjuvat  ipsa  tuos. 
Quod  si  te  pretium,  si  te  fulgentia  tangunt 

Munera  (muneribus  saepe  coemptus  Amor), 
Ilia  tibi  ostentat  quascunque  sub  a^quore  vasto, 

Et  superinjectis  montibus  abdit  opes. 
Ah  quoties,  cum  tu  clivoso  fessus  Olympo 

In  vespertinas  praecipitaris  aquas. 
Cur  te,  inquit,  cursu  languentem,  Pha'be,  diurno 

Ilesperiis  reci]tit  Cjerula  mater  a(]uis  '? 
Quid  tibi  cum  Tetliy  ?     Quid  cum  Tartesside  lymphd, 

Dia  quid  immundo  perluis  ora  salo  ? 
Frigora,  Plittjbe,  mea  melius  captabis  in  umbra, 

Hue  ades,  ardeutes  imbue  rore  comas. 


524  ELEGIARUM   LIBER   PRIMUS. 

Mollior  egelida  veniet  tibi  somnus  in  hei-ba, 

Hue  ades,  et  gremio  lumina  pone  meo. 
Quaqiie  jaces,  cireum  raulcebit  lene  susurrans 

Aura,  per  humentes  corpora  fusa  rosas. 
Nee  me  (crede  mihi)  terrent  Semeleia  fata, 

Nee  Phaetonteo  fumidus  axis  equo  ; 
Cum  tu,  Plioebe,  tuo  sapicntius  uteris  igni, 

Hue  ades,  et  gremio  lumina  pone  meo. 
Sie  Tellus  lasciva  suos  suspirat  amores ; 

Matris  in  exemplum  cjetera  turba  ruunt. 
Nunc  etenim  toto  currit  vagus  orbe  Cupido, 

Languentesque  fovet  solis  ab  igne  faces. 
Insonuei'e  novis  lethalia  cornua  nervis, 

Triste  raicant  ferro  tela  corusca  novo. 
Jamque  vel  invictam  tentat  superasse  Dianam, 

Qufeque  scdet  sacro  Vesta  pudica  foco. 
Ipsa  seneseentem  reparat  Venus  annua  formam, 

Atque  iterum  tepido  creditur  orta  mari. 
Marmoreas  juvenes  clamant  Hymenaee  perurbe», 

Littus  lo  Hymen,  et  cava  saxa  sonant, 
Cultior  ille  venit,  tunicaque  decentiov  apta, 

Puniceum  redolet  vestis  odora  crocum. 
Egrediturque  frequens  ad  amoeni  gaudia  veris 

Virgineos  auro  cincta  puella  sinus.  [unura, 

Votum  est  cuique  suura,  votura  est  tamen  omnibus 

Ut  sibi  quem  cupiat,  det  Cytherea  virum. 
Nunc  quoque  septena  raodulatur  arundine  pastor, 

Et  sua  qufB  jungat  carmina  Phyllis  habet. 
Navita  nocturne  placat  sua  sidera  eantu, 

Delphinasque  leves  ad  vada  summa  vocat. 
Jupiter  ipse  alto  cum  conjuge  ludit  Olympo, 

Convocat  et  famulos  ad  sua  festa  Deos. 
Nunc  etiam  Satyri,  cum  sera  crcpuscula  surgunt, 

Pervolitant  eeleri  florea  rura  chore, 
Sylvanusque  sua  cyparissi  fronde  revinctus, 

Semicaperque  Deus,  semideusque  caper. 
Quffique  sub  arboribus  Dryades  latuere  vetustis 

Per  juga,  per  solos  expatiantur  agros. 
Per  sata  luxuriat  frutieetaque  Mienalius  Pan, 

Vix  Cvbele  mater,  vix  sibi  tuta  Ceres  ; 


ELEGIARUK    Lir.ER    PRIMTJS.  525 

AtquG  aliqnam  cupidus  prnedatnr  Oreada  Faunas, 

Consiilit  in  trcpidos  duin  sibi  nymplia  pedes, 
Jamque  latot,  latitansquc  fuj)it  male  tecta  videri, 

Et  fngit,  et  fugiens  pervolit  ipsa  capi. 
Dii  quoque  non  dubitant  coelo  piveponere  sylras, 

Et  sua  quisque  sibi  nuniina  Incus  habet. 
Et  sua  quisque  diu  sibi  numina  Incus  haljeto, 

Nee  vos  arborea,  dii,  precor,  ite  doino. 
Te  rcferant  misevis  te,  Jupiter,  anrca  tevris 

Sascla,  quid  ad  nimbos  aspera  tela  redis? 
Tu  saltern  lente  rapidos  age  Phoebe  jugales 

Qua  ])otes,  et  seusim  tempora  veris  eant ; 
Brumaque  productas  tarde  ferat  liispida  noctes, 

lugruat  et  nostro  serior  umbra  polo. 


ELEGIA  SEXTA. 
Ad  Carolum  Deodatum  ruri  commorantem, 

Qui  cttm  Idibus  Decemb  scripsisi^et,  et  sua  carmina  excnsari  pnstulasset 
n  soldo  7nim,s  essnit  bona,  qxiod  inter  lautiiias,  qitibus  crat  ah  amHs 
exceinvs,  hand  satis  felicem  operam  Musis  dare  se  posse  aMrmahat,  hoc 
habmt  responsum.  ' 

MiTTO  tibi  sanam  non  pleno  ventre  salutem, 

Qua  tu  distento  forte  carere  potes. 
At  tua  quid  nostram  prolectat  musa  camcenam, 

Nee  sinit  optatas  posse  sequi  tenebras? 
Carmine  scire  yelis  quam  te  redamemque  colamque, 

Crede  mihi  vix  hoc  carmine  scire  queas. 
Nam  nequo  noster  amor  modulis  includitur  arctis, 

Nee  venit  ad  claudos  integer  ipse  pedes. 
Quam  bene  solennes  epulas,  hilaremque  Decerabrem, 

Festaque  coelifugam  quae  coluere  Deum, 
Deliciasque  refers,  hyberni  gaudia  ruris, 

Haustaque  per  lepidos  Gallica  musta  focos ! 
Quid  quereris  refugam  vino  dapibusque  poesin  ? 

Carmen  amat  Bacclmm,  carmina  Bacchus  araat. 
Nee  puduit  Phoebum  virides  gestasse  corymbos, 

Atque  hederam  lauro  praeposuisse  su£e. 
Saspius  Aoniis  clamavit  collibus  Euoe 

Mista  Thyoneo  turba  novena  choro. 


526  ELEGIAEUM   LIBER   PKIMUS. 

Naso  Coralljeis  mala,  carmina  misit  ab  agris  • 

Non  illic  epulse,  non  sata  vitis  erant. 
Quid  nisi  vina,  rosasque  racemiferumque  Lyaeum, 

Cantavit  brevibus  Te'ia  Musa  modis  ? 
Piiidaricosque  inflat  numeros  Teuiuesius  Euan, 

Et  redolet  sumptum  pagiua  qx;a3que  merum ; 
Dum  gravis  everso  currus  crepat  axe  supinus, 

Et  volat  Eleo  pulvere  fuscus  eques. 
Quadrimoque  madens  Lyricen  Romauus  laccho 

Dulce  canit  Glyccran,  flavicomamque  Chloen. 
Jam  quoque  lauta  tibi  generoso  meusa  paratu 

Mentis  alit  vires,  ingeniumque  fovet. 
Massica  fcecundam  despumaut  pocula  venam, 

Fundis  et  ex  ipso  condita  metra  cado. 
Addimus  his  artes,  fusum^fue  per  intima  Phcebum 

Corda,  favent  uni  Bacchus,  Ajiollo,  Ceres. 
Scilicet  baud  mirum  tarn  dulcia  carmina  per  te 

Numine  composite  tres  peperisse  Deos. 
Nunc  quoque  Thressa  tibi  c^lato  barbitos  auro 

Insonat  arguta  molliter  icta  manu  ; 
Auditurque  chelys  suspensa  tajjetia  circum, 

Virgineos  tremula  quae  regat  arte  pedes. 
Ilia  tuas  saltem  teneant  spectacula  musas, 

Et  revocent,  quantum  crapula  pellit  iners, 
Crede  mihi  dum  psallit  ebur,  comitataque  plectrum 

Implet  odoratos  festa  chorea  tholos  ; 
Percipies  taciturn  per  pectora  serj^ere  Phoebum, 

Quale  repentinus  permeat  ossa  calor, 
Perque  puellares  oculos  digitumque  sonantem 

Irruet  iu  totos  lapsa  Thalia  sinus. 
Namque  elegia  levis  multorum  cura  Deorum  est, 

Et  vocat  ad  numeros  quemlibet  ilia  suos ; 
Liber  ad  est  elegis,  Eratoque,  Ceresque,  Venusque, 

Et  cum  purpurea  matre  tenellus  Amor. 
Talibus  inde  licent  convivia  larga  poetis, 

SiBpius  et  veteri  commaduisse  mero. 
At  qui  bella  refert,  et  adulto  sub  Jove  coelum, 

Heroasque  pios,  semideosque  duces, 
Et  nunc  sancta  canit  superum  consulta  deorum, 

Nunc  latrata  fero  regna  profunda  cane, 


ELEGIARUM    LIBKR    PRIMUS.  527 

Ille  quidera  pared,  Samii  pro  more  magistri, 

Vivat,  et  innocuos  prajbeat  herba  cibos  ; 
Stet  prope  fagineo  pelhicida  lyrapha  catillo, 

Sobriaque  e  puro  pocula  fonte  bibat. 
Additur  liuic  scelerisque  vacans,  et  easta  juventus, 

Et  rigidi  mores,  et  sine  labe  manus. 
Qualis  veste  nitens  sacra,  et  lustralibus  undis 

Surgis  ad  iufensos  augur  iture  Deos. 
Hoc  ritu  vixisse  ferunt  post  rapta  sagacem 

Lmnina  Tiresian,  Ogygiumque  Linon, 
Et  lare  devoto  profugum  Calchanta,  senemque 

Orpheon  edomitis  sola  per  antra  feris ; 
Sic  dapis  exiguus,  sic  rivi  potor  Homcrus 

Dulichiura  vexit  per  freta  longa  virum, 
Et  per  monstrificam  Perseia^  Phccbados  aulam, 

Et  vada  fa3mineis  iusidiosa  sonis, 
Perque  tuas,  rex  ime,  domos,  ubi  sanguine  nigro 

Dicitur  umbrarum  detinuisse  greges. 
Diis  etenim  sacer  est  vates,  divftraque  sacerdos, 

Spirat  et  occultum  pectus,  et  ora  Jovera. 
At  tu,  siquid  agam,  scitabere  (si  raodo  saltern 

Esse  putas  tanti  noscere  siquid  agam). 
Paciferum  canimus  coelesti  semine  resrem, 

Faustaque  sacratis  specula  pacta  libris, 
Vagitumque  Dei,  et  stabulantem  paupere  tecto 

Qui  suprema  suo  cum  ])atre  regna  colit, 
Stelliparumque  polum,  modulantesque  oethere  turmas, 

Et  subito  elisos  ad  sua  fana  Deos. 
Dona  quidem  dedimus  Christi  natalibus  ilia, 

Ilia  sub  auroram  lux  mihi  prima  tulit. 
Te  quoque  pressa  manent  patriis  meditata  cicutis, 

Tu  mibi,  cui  recitem,  judicis  instar  eris. 


ELEGTA  SEPTIMA. 
Anno  -.Etatis  19. 


NoNDUM  blanda  tuas  leges,  Aniathusia,  noram, 
Et  Paphio  vacuum  pectus  ab  igne  fuit. 


528  ELEGIARUM   LIBE*l   PRIMUS. 

Saepe  cupidineas,  puerilia  tela,  sagittas, 

Atque  tuum  sprevi  maxime  numen  Amor, 
Tu  puer  imbelles,  dixi,  transfige  colunibas, 

Conveniunt  tenero  mollia  bella  duci. 
Aut  de  passeribus  tumidos  age,  parve,  triumphos, 

Hasc  sunt  militiae  digna  trophfea  tune. 
In  genus  humanura  quid  inania  dirigis  arma? 

Non  valet  in  fortes  ista  pharetra  viros. 
Non  tulit  hoc  Cyprius  (neque  enim  Deus  ullus  ad  iras 

Promptior),  et  dui^lici  jam  ferus  igne  calet. 
Ver  erat,  et  summge  radians  per  culmina  villse 

Attulerat  2:)riniam  lux  tibi,  Maie,  diem : 
At  mibi  adhuc  refugam  quterebant  luraiua  uoctem, 

Nee  raatutinuin  sustinuere  jubar. 
Astat  Amor  lecto,  pictis  Amor  impiger  alls, 

Prodidit  astantem  mota  pharetra  Deum : 
Prodidit  et  facies,  et  dulce  minantis  ocelli, 

Et  quicquid  puero  dignum  et  Amore  fuit. 
Talis  in  aeterno  juvenis  Sigeius  Olympo 

Miscet  amatori  pocula  plena  Jovi ; 
Aut  qui  formosas  pellexit  ad  oscula  nymphas 

Thiodamantaeus  Nafade  raptus  Hylas. 
Addideratque  iras,  sed  et  has  decuisse  putares, 

Addideratque  truces,  nee  sine  felle  minas. 
Et  miser  exemplo  sapuisses  tutids,  inquit, 

Nunc  mea  quid  ])ossit  dextera  testis  eris. 
Inter  et  expertos  vires  uumerabere  nostras, 

Et  faciam  vero  per  tua  damna  fidem. 
Ipse  ego,  si  nescis,  strato  Pythone  superbum 

Edomui  Phcebum,  cessit  et  ille  mihi ; 
Et  quoties  meminit  Peneidos,  ipse  fatetur 

Certitis  et  gravitis  tela  nocere  mea. 
Me  nequit  adductum  ourvare  perititis  arcum, 

Qui  post  terga  solet  vincere  Parthus  eques ; 
Cydoniusque  mihi  cedit  venator,  et  ille 

Inscius  uxori  qui  necis  autlior  erat. 
Est  etiam  nobis  ingens  quoque  victus  Orion, 

Herculeaeque  manus,  Herculeusque  comes. 
Jupiter  ipse  licet  sua  fulmina  torqueat  in  me, 

Haerebunt  lateri  spicula  nostra  Jovis. 


t 


4 

ELEGIARUM   Lir.ER   PRIMUS.  529 

Caetera  qufo  dnbitas  mclifis  mea  tela  docebunt, 

Et  tua  non  leviter  corda  petenda  mihi. 
Ncc  te,  stxilte,  tusc  })oteniiit  defendere  inusae, 

Nee  tibi  Plioebajus  porriget  anguis  opem. 
Dixit,  ct  anrato  quatiens  nuicrone  sagittam, 

Evolat  in  tepidos  Cy])ridos  illc  sinus. 
At  niilii  risuro  tonuit  i'cru.s  ore  miiiaci, 

Et  mihi  de  puero  non  nietus  nllus  erat, 
Et  niodo  qua  nostri  spatiantur  in  urbe  Quirites, 

Et  modo  A'illaruni  proxima  rura  plaeent. 
Tuii)a  frequens,  faciecpie  simillinia  turba  deavum 

Splendida  per  medias  itque  reditque  vias. 
Auctaque  luce  dies  gemino  fulgore  coruscat, 

Fallor?     An  et  radios  bine  quoque  Plicebus  habet? 
Ha3c  ego  non  fugi  spectacula  grata  severus, 

Impetus  et  quo  me  fert  juvenilis,  agor, 
Lumina  luminibus  male  providus  obvia  misi, 

Neve  oculos  potui  continuissc  meos. 
Unam  fort6  aliis  supereminuisse  notabam, 

Principium  nostri  lux  erat  ilia  mali. 
Sic  Venus  ojitaret  mortalibus  ipsa.videri 

Sic  regina  Deftm  conspicienda  fuit. 
Hanc  memor  objecit  nobis  mains  ille  Cupido, 

Solus  et  hos  nobis  texuit  ante  dolos. 
Nee  procul  ii)se  vafer  latuit,  multa3que  sagittae, 

Et  facis  a  tergo  grande  pependit  onus. 
Nee  mora,  nunc  ciliis  hfesit,  nunc  virginis  ori. 

Insilit  hinc  labiis,  insidet  inde  genis  : 
Et  quascunque  agilis  partes  jaculator  oberrat, 

Hei  milii,  niille  locis  pectus  inerme  ferit. 
Protinus  insoliti  subierunt  corda  furores, 

Uror  amans  inttis,  flamniaque  totus  erara. 
Interea  raisero  quae  jam  mihi  sola  ])lacebat, 

Ablata  est  oculis  non  reditura  meis. 
Ast  ego  progredior  tacite  querebundus,  et  excors, 

Et  dubius  volui  soepe  referre  iDcdeiii 
Findor,  et  hiec  remanet,  sequitur  pars  altera  votura, 

Paptaque  tarn  subito  gaudia  iiere  juvat. 
Sic  dolet  amissum  proles  Junonia  ccelum, 

Inter  Lemniacos  proecipitatti  focos. 

34 


530  ELEGIARUM    LIBKR    PRIMUS, 

Talis  et  abreptum  solera  respexit,  ad  Orcum 

Vectus  ab  attonitis  Amphiaraus  equis. 
Quid  faciam  infelix,  et  luctu  victus  ?     Amoves 

Nee  licet  inceptos  ponere,  neve  sequi. 
O  utinam,  spectare  semel  mihi  detur  aniatos 

Vultus,  et  coi'am  tristia  verba  loqui ! 
Forsitan  et  duro  non  est  adainante  areata, 

Forte  nee  ad  nostras  surdeat  ilia  preces. 
Crede  mihi,  nullus  sic  infeliciter  arsit, 

Ponar  in  exeraplo  primus  et  unus  ego. 
Parce,  precor,  teneri  cum  sis  Deus  ales  amoris, 

PuOTent  officio  nee  tua  facta  tuo. 
Jam  tuus  O  certe  est  mihi  formidabilis  areas,' 

Nate  dea,  jaculis  nee  minus  ijxne  potens : 
Et  tua  fumabunt  nostris  altaria  don  is, 

Solus  et  in  superis  tu  mihi  summits  eris. 
Deme  meos  tandem,  verdm  nee  deme,  furores, 

Nescio  cur,  miser  est  suaviter  omnis  amans : 
Tu  modo  da  facilis,  posthaec  mea  siqua  f  utura  est 

Cuspis  amaturos  figat  ut  una  duos. 


H^c  ego  mente  olim  laeva,  studioque  supino, 

Nequitife  posui  vana  trophasa  meae. 
Scilicet  abreptum  sic  me  malus  impulit  error, 

Indocilisque  aetas  prava  magistra  fuit. 
Donee  Socraticos  umbrosa  Academia  rivos 

Praebuit,  admissum  dedocuitque  jugum. 
Protinus  extinctis  ex  illo  tempore  flammis, 

Cincta  rigent  multo  pectora  nostra  gelu. 
Unde  suis  frigus  metuit  puer  ipse  sagittis, 

Et  Diomedeam  vim  timet  ipsa  Venus. 


(Bjiigraiiunatinn   lihtr. 


m  PRODITIONEM  BOMBARDICAM. 

Cum  siraul  in  regera  nujDer  satrapasque  Britannos 

Ausus  es  infandum,  perfide  Fauxe,  nefas, 
Fallor  ?    An  et  mitis  voluisti  ex  parte  videri, 

Et  pensare  mala  cum  pietate  scelus  ? 
Scilicet  hos  alti  missurus  ad  atria  coeli, 

Sidphureo  curru  flammivolisque  rotis. 
Qualiter  ille  feris  caput  inviolabile  Parcis 

Liquit  lordanios  turbine  raptus  agros. 


IN  EANDEM. 

SicciNE  tentasti  coelo  donasse  lacobum 

Qu£e  septemgeraino  Bellua  nionte  lates  ? 
Ni  meliora  tuum  poterit  dare  munera  numen. 

Parce  precor  donis  insidiosa  tuis. 
Ille  quidem  sine  te  consortia  serus  adivit 

Astra,  nee  inferni  jDulveris  usus  ope. 
Sic  potits  foedos  in  ccelum  pelle  cuculios, 

Et  quot  habet  brutos  Roma  })rofana  Deos, 
Namque  hac  aut  alia  nisi  qucmque  adjuveris  arte, 

Crede  milii,  coeli  vix  bene  scandet  iter. 


IN  EANDEM. 

PuRGATOREM  animae  derisit  lacobua  ignera, 
Et  sine  quo  superflm  non  adeunda  domus. 

Frenduit  hoc  trina  monstrum  Latiale  coronS, 
Movit  et  horrificum  coruua  dcna  minax. 

(531) 


532  EPIGRAMMATUM    LIBER. 

Et  neo  inultus,  ait,  temries  7iiea  sacra  Britanne: 

Suppliciuin  spreta  religione  dabis. 
Et  si  stelligeras  iinquam  peiietravcris  arces, 

Non  nisi  per  flammas  triste  patebit  iter. 
O  qi;am  funesto  cecinisti  proxima  vcro, 

Verbaque  poiideribus  vix  caritura  suis  ! 
Nam  prope  Tartareo  sublime  rotatus  ab  igni 

Ibat  ad  a;thereas  umbra  perusta  plagas. 


IN  EANDEM. 

QuEM  modd  Roma  suis  devoverat  impia  diris, 
Et  Styge  damndrat  Tsenarioque  sinu, 

Hunc  vice  mutata  jam  tollere  gestit  ad  astra, 
Et  cuj)it  ad  superos  evehere  usque  Deos. 


IN  INVENTOREM  BOMBARDiE. 

Iapetionidem  laudavit  caeca  vetustas, 
Qui  tulit  aetheream  solis  ab  axe  facem  ; 

At  mihi  major  erit,  qui  lurida  creditur  arma, 
Et  trifidiuu  fulmen  surripuisse  Jovi. 


AD  LEONORAM  ROM^  CANENTEM 

Angelus  unicuique  suus  (sic  credite  gentes;) 

Obtigit  astliereis  ales  ab  ordiijibus. 
Quid  mirum,  Leonora,  tibi  si  gloi'ia  major? 

Nam  tua  praesentem  vox  son  at  ipsa  Deum. 
Aut  Deus,  aut  vacui  cert6  mens  tertia  cosli. 

Per  tua  secreto  guttura  serpit  agcns ; 
Scrpit  agens,  facilisque  docet  mortalia  corda 

Sensim  immortali  assuescere  posse  sono. 
Quod  si  cuncta  quidem  Dens  est,  per  cunct^ique  fueus, 

Id  te  una  loquitur,  ctetera  mutus  habet. 


EPIGRAMMATUM    LIBER. 

AD  EANDEM. 

Altera  Torquatura  cepit  Leonora  poetam, 

Cujus  ab  insano  cessit  amore  furens. 
Ah  miser  ille  tuo  quanto  felicifis  vovo 

Perditus,  et  propter  te,  Leonora,  foret  I 
Et  te  Pieria  sensisset  voce  canentem 

Aurea  maternse  fila  movere  lyraB : 
Quaravis  Dircteo  torsisset  luraina  Pentheo 

Saivior,  aut  totus  desipuisset  iners, 
Tu  tamen  errantes  cffica  vertigino  sensus 

Voce  eadem  poteras  coniposuisse  tua; 
Et  poteras,  a^gro  spirans  sub  corde,  quietem 

Flexauinio  cantu  restituisse  sibi. 


533 


AD  EANDEM. 

Credula  quid  Hquidam  Sirena  Neapoli  jactas, 

Claraque  l*arthenopes  fana  Aclieloiados, 
Littoreaniquc  tua  defunctam  Naiada  ripa, 

Corpora  Chalcidico  sacra  dedisse  rogo  ? 
Ilia  quidem  vivitque,  et  amcena  Tibridis  nnda 

Mutavit  rauci  murmura  Pausilij)!. 
Illic  Romuliduni  studiis  ornata  secundis, 

Atque  homines  cantu  detinet  atque  Deos. 


APOLOGUS  DE  RUSTICO  ET  HERO. 

RuSTicus  ex  malo  sapidissima  poma  quotannis 

Legit,  et  urbano  lecta  dedit  "Domino  : 
Hincincredibili  fructfts  dulcedine  captus. 

Malum  ipsara  in  proprias  trnnstulit  areolas. 
Hactenus  ilia  ferax,  sed  longo  dcbilis  jbvo, 

Mota  solo  assueto,  protinfis  aret  iners. 
Quod  tandem  ut  patuit  Domino,  spe  lusus  inani, 

Damnavit  celeres  in  sua  damna  nianus. 
Atque  ait,  "  Heu  quanto  satins  fuit  ilia  Coloni 

(Parva  licet)  grato  dona  tulissc  animo  ! 
Possem  ego  avaritiam  fra^nare,  gulamque  voracem; 

Nunc  periere  mihi  et  foetus,  et  ipse  parens." 


\i]hm\\i  Hbtr. 


IN  OBITUM  PROCANCELLARII  MEDICI 
Anno  iExAxis,  16. 

Parere  fati  disci te  legibus, 

Manusque  Parca3  jam  date  supplices. 
Qui  pendulum  telluris  orbem 

lapeti  colitis  nepotes. 
Vos  si  relicto  mors  vaga  Tanaro 
Semel  vocarit  flebilis,  heu  moras 
Tentantur  incasstim  dolique  ; 

Per  tenebras  Stygis  ire  certum  est. 
Si  destinatam  pellere  dextera 
Mortem  valeret,  non  ferus  Hercules, 
Nessi  venenatus  cruore 
^mathia  jacuisset  Oeta, 
Nee  fraud e  turpi  Palladis  invidas 
Vidisset  occisum  Ilion  Hectora,  aut 
Quem  larva  Pelidis  peremit 
Ense  Locro,  Jove  lacrymante. 
Si  triste  fatum  A'erba  Hecateia 
Fugare  possint,  Telegoni  parens 
Vixisset  infamis,  potentique 
^giali  soror  usa  virga, 
Numenque  trinum  fallere  si  queant 
Artes  medenttim,  ignotaque  gramina, 
Non  gnarus  herbarum  Machaon 
Eurypyli  cecidisset  hasta. 

(534) 


SYLVAKUM    LIUER.  535 


Laesisset  et  nee  tc,  Plulyreie, 
Sagitta  Echidna}  perlita  sanguine, 
Nee  tela  te  fulmcnque  avilum 
Casse  puer  genitricis  alvo. 
Tuque  O  alumno  major  ApoUine, 
Gentis  togatte  cui  regimen  datum, 
Frondosa  qucni  nunc  Cirrha  luget, 
Et  mediis  Helicon  in  undis, 
Jam  praefuisses  Palladio  gregi 
Laetus,  superstos,  nee  sine  gloria, 
Nee  puppe  lustrasses  Charontis 
Horribiles  barathri  recessus. 
At  fila  rupit  Persephone  tua, 
Irata,  cum  te  viderit,  artibus, 
Succoque  poUenti,  tot  atris 
Faucibus  eripuisse  mortis. 
Colende  Prai^ses,  membra  precor  tua 
MoUi  quiescant  cespite,  et  ex  tuo 
Crescant  rosae  caltliaeque  busto, 
Purpureoque  hyacinthus  ore. 
Sit  mite  de  te  judicium  ^aci, 
Subrideatque  ^tna^a  Proserpina, 
Interque  felices  perennis 
Elysio  spatiere  campo. 


IN  QUINTUM  NOVEMBIIIS. 
Anno  ^tatis  17. 

Jam  pius  extrema  veniens  liicobus  ab  arcto 
Teucrigenas  po])ulos,  lateque  patentia  regna 
Albionum  tenuit,  jamque  inviolabile  foedus 
Sceptra  Caledoniis  conjunxerat  Anglica  Scotis: 
Pacifieusque  novo,  felix  divesque,  sedebat 
In  solio,  occultique  doli  seeurus  et  hostis  ; 
Cum  ferus  ignifluo  regnans  Acheronte  tyrannus, 
Eumenidum  pater,  jethereo  vagus  exul  Olympo, 
Forte  per  immensum  terrarum  erraverat  orbem 
Dinumerans  sceleris  socios,  vernasque  fideles, 


536  SYLVARUM   LIBER. 

Participes  regni  post  funera  moesta  futures ; 
Hie  tempestates  medio  eiet  aere  diras, 
Illic  unaninies  odium  struit  inter  amicos, 
Armat  et  invictas  in  mutua  viscera  gentes ; 
Regnaque  olivifera  vertit  florentia  pace  : 
Et  quoscunque  videt  puroe  virtutis  amantes, 
Hos  cupit  adjicere  imperio,  fraud  unique  magister 
Tentat  inaccessum  sceleri  corrumpere  pectus, 
Insidiasque  locat  tacitas,  cassesque  latentes 
Tendit,  ut  incautos  rapiat,  seu  Caspia  tigris 
Insequitur  trepidam  deserta  per  avia  praidam 
Nocte  sub  illuni,  et  somno  nictantibus  astris. 
Talibus  infestat  populos  Summanus  et  urbes, 
Cinctus  cerulean  fumanti  turbine  tlammae, 
Jamque  fluentisonis  albentia  rupibus  arva 
Apparent,  et  terra  deo  dilecta  marino, 
Cui  nomen  dcderat  quondam  Neptunia  proles, 
Amphitryoniaden  qui  non  dubitavit  atrocem, 
^quore  tranato,  furiali  poscere  bello, 
Ante  expugnatae  crudelia  sfficula  Trojas. 

At  simul  banc  opibusque  et  festa  pace  bealarn 
Aspicit,  et  pingues  donis  Cerealibus  agros, 
Quodque  magis  doluit,  venerantem  numina  veri 
Sancta  Dei  populum,  tandem  suspiria  rupit 
Tartareos  ignes  et  luridum  olentia  sulpbur  ; 
Qualia  Trinacria  trux  ab  Jove  clausus  in  JEtna 
Efflat  tabifico  monstrosus  ob  ore  Ty])hoeus. 
ignescunt  oculi,  stridetque  adamantinus  ordo 
Dentis,  ut  armoruni  fragor,  ictaque  cuspid e  cuspis. 
Atque  "  Pererrato  solum  hoc  lacrpiiabile  mundo 
Inveni,"  dixit,  "gens  h^c  mihi  sola  rebellis, 
Contemtrixque  jugi,  nostraque  potentior  arte. 
Ilia  tamen,  mea  si  quicquam  tentamina  possunt, 
Non  feret  hoc  imjnine  diii,  non  ibit  inulta." 
Hactenus ;  et  piceis  liquido  natat  aiire  pennis  ; 
Qua  volat,  adversi  pra^cursant  agmine  venti, 
Densantur  nubes,  et  crebra  tonitrua  fulgent. 

Jamque  pruinosas  velox  superaverat  Alpe% 
Et  tenet  Ausonioe  fines  :  a  parte  sinistra 
Nimbifer  A])penniuus  erat,  jjriscique  Sabini, 


BTLVARUM    LIBER.  637 

Dcxtra  venefioiis  infiiiuis  ITetruria,  ncc  non 
Te  furtivn,  Tibris,  Thetidi  videt  osciila  dautera  ; 
Hiuc  Mavortigciia3  consistit  in  arce  Quirini. 
Keddiderant  dubiam  jam  sera  crepuscula  lucein, 
Cum  circumgreditur  totam  Tricoronifer  xivbem, 
Panificosque  deos  portat,  scai)ulisque  virorum 
Evehitur,  prseeunt  submisso  poplile  reges, 
Et  meiidiuaiitum  series  longissima  fratrura  ; 
Cereaque  in  mauibus  gestaiit  funalia  ca^ci, 
Cimmoriis  nati  in  teuebris,  vitamque  trahentes. 
Templa  dein  multis  siibeunt  lucentia  tadis 
(Vesper  erat  sacer  iste  Petro)  fremitusque  canentum 
Sa3pe  tliolos  implet  vacuos,  et  inane  locorum. 
Qualiter  exululat  Bromius,  Bromiiqiic  caterva, 
Orgia  oantantes  in  PJc'liionio  Araeyntho, 
Dum  tremit  attonitus  vitreis  Asopus  in  imdis, 
Et  procnl  ipse  cavil  rcsponsat  rape  Citha3ron. 

His  igitui"  tandem  solenni  more  peractis, 
Nox  senis  amplexus  Erebi  taciturna  reliquit, 
Pffficipitesque  impellit  equos  stimulante  ^agello, 
Captum  oculis  Typblonta,  IMelanchastemque  ferocem, 
Atque  Acberontaio  prognatam  patre  Siojjen 
Torpidam,  et  hirsutis  horrentem  Phrica  capillis. 

Interea  regum  domitor,  Plilegetontius  haeres 
Ingreditur  tbalamos  (neqne  enim  secretus  adulter 
Producit  steriles  molli  sine  jicllice  noctes), 
At  vix  composites  somnus  claudebat  ocellos, 
Cum  niger  umbrarum  dominus,  rectorque  silentum. 
Prffidatorque  hnminum,  falsa  sub  imagine  tectus 
Astitit,  as.sumj)tis  micuerunt  tempora  canis, 
Barba  sinus  jiromissa  tegit,  cineracea  longo 
Syrmate  ^errit  humum  veslis,  j^endetque  cucullus 
Vertice  de  raso,  et  ne  quicquam  desit  ad  artes, 
Cannabeo  lumbos  constrinxit  fune  salaces, 
Tarda  fenestratis  figens  vestigia  caloeis. 
Talis,  uti  fania  est,  vasta  Franciscus  eremo 
Tetra  vagabatur  solus  per  lustra  fcrarum, 
Sylvestrique  tulit  genti  pia  verba  salutis 
Impius,  atque  lupos  domuit,  Libycosque  leoncs. 

Subdolus  at  tali  Serpens  velatus  amictu 


538  STLVARU5I    LIBER. 

Solvit  in  has  fallax  ora  execrantia  voces  ; 
Dormis,  nate  ?     Etiamiie  tuos  sopor  opprimit  artus  ? 
Immemoi"  O  fidei,  pecorunique  oblite  tuorum ! 
Dum  catliedram  venerande  tuam,  diademaque  triplex 
Kidet  Hyperboreo  gens  barbara  nuta  sub  axe, 
Dumque  pharetrati  spernunt  tua  jura  Britanni : 
Surge,  age,  surge  piger,  Latins  queni  Caasar  adorat, 
Cui  reserata  patet  convexi  janua  coeli, 
Turgentes  animos,  et  fastus  frange  procaces, 
Sacrilegique  sciant,  tua  quid  maledictio  possit, 
Et  quid  Apostolicae  possit  custodia  clavis  ; 
Et  menior  Hesperioe  disjectani  ulciscere  classem, 
Mersaque  Iberorum  lato  vexilla  ])rofundo, 
Sanctoruraque  cruci  tot  corpora  fixa  probrosae, 
Thermodoontea  nuper  regnante  puella. 
At  tu  si  tenero  mavis  torpescere  lecto, 
Crescentesque  negas  hosti  contundere  vires, 
Tyrrhenum  implebit  numeroso  niilite  pontum, 
Signaque  Aventino  ponet  fulgentia  colle  : 
Reliquias  veterum  franget,  llammisque  cremabit, 
Sacraque  calcabit  pedibus  tua  colla  profanis, 
Cujus  gaudebant  soleis  dare  basia  reges. 
Nee  tamen  hunc  bellis  et  aperto  Marte  lacesses, 
Irritus  ille  labor  :  tu  callidus  utere  fraude  : 
Quajlibet  htereticis  disponei'e  retia  fas  est. 
Jamque  ad  consilium  extremis  rex  mngnns  ab  oris 
Patricios  vocat,  et  procerum  de  stirpc  creatos, 
Grandrevosqne  patres  trabea  canisque  verendos  ; 
Hos  tu  membratini  poteris  conspergere  in  auras, 
Atque  dare  in  cineres,  nitrati  pulveris  ignc 
-^dibus  injecto,  qua  convenere,  sub  imis. 
Protinus  ipse  igitur  quoscunque  babet  Anglia  fidos 
Propositi,  factique  mone  :  quisquanine  tuorum. 
Audel)it  summi  non  jussa  facessere  Papae  ? 
Perculsosque  metu  subito,  caslique  stupentes 
Invadat  vel  Gallus  atrox,  vel  soevus  Iberus. 
SaBCula  sic  illic  tandem  Mariana  redibunt, 
Tuque  in  belligeros  iterura  dominaberis  Anglos. 
Et  nequid  timeas,  divos  divasque  secundas 
Accipe,  quotque  tuis  celebrantur  numina  fastis. 


SYLVAKUM    LlIiEK. 


539 


Dixit,  et  adscitos  ponens  maleficlus  amictus 
Fugit  ad  iufandam,  regnum  ilhetabile,  Lethen. 

Jam  rosea  Eoas,  paiidens  Tithonia  portas, 
Vestit  inauratas  redennti  Inmine  terras  ; 
Moestaque  adhnc  nigri  deploraiis  funera  nati 
Irrigat  aaibrosiis  inontaiia  cacuinina  gultis  ; 
Cum  soranos  pepulit  stcUatoe  janitor  aulse, 
Nocturnos  visas,  et  somnia  grata  revolveiis. 

Est  locus  ieterna  se])tus  caliginc  noctis, 
Yasta  ruinosi  quondam  fundamina  tecti, 
Nunc  torvi  spelunca  Phoni,  Prodotreque  bilinguis, 
Effera  quos  uno  peperit  Discord ia  partu. 
Hie  inter  cajmenta  jacent  pra;ruptaque  saxa, 
Ossa  inhumata  virdm,  et  trajecta  cadavera  ferro; 
Hie  Dolus  intortis  semper  sedet  ater  ocellis, 
Jurgiaque,  et  stimulis  armata  Calumnia  fauces, 
Et  Furor,  atque  viae  moriendi  mille  videntur, 
Et  Timor,  exsanguisque  locum  circumvolat  Horror, 
Perpetuoque  leves  per  muta  silentia  Manes 
Exululant,  tell  us  et  sanguine  conscia  stagnat. 
Ipsi  etiam  pavidi  latitant  penetralibus  antri 
Et  Phonos,  et  Prodotes,  nulloque  sequente  per  antrum, 
Antrum  horrens,  scopulosum,  atrum  feralibus  umbria 
Diffugiunt  sontes,  et  retro  luniiua  vortunt ; 
Hos  pugiles  Romse  per  sa^cula  longa  fideles 
Evocat  antistes  Babylonius,  atque  ita  fatur: 

"  Finibus  occiduis  circamfusum  incolit  ajquor 
Gens  exosa  mihi,  prudens  natura  negavit 
Indignam  penitus  nostro  conjungere  mundo: 
Illuc,  sic  jubeo,  celeri  contendite  gressu, 
Tartareoque  leves  difflentur  pulvere  in  auras 
Et  rex  et  pariter  satrapoe,  scelerata  propago : 
Et  quotquot  fidei  caluere  cupidine  vera?, 
Consilii  socios  adhibete,  operisque  ministros." 
Finierat,  rigidi  cupidd  paruere  gemelli. 

Interea  longo  flectens  curvamine  coelos 
Despicit  tethered  dominus  qui  fulgurat  arce, 
Vanaque  perversoe  ridet  conamina  turboe, 
Atque  sui  causam  populi  volet  ipse  tueri. 

Esse  ferurft  spatiura,  qua  distat  ab  Aside  terra 


540  SYLVARUM   LinER. 

Fertilis  Eui-ope,  et  spectat  Marcotidas  xindas ; 
Hie  turris  posita  est  Titanidos  ardua  Fumae, 
JEvea,  lata,  sonans,  rutilis  viciuior  astris 
Quam  superimpositum  vc4  Athos  vel  Pelion  Ossae. 
Mille  fores  aditusque  patent,  totidemque  fenestra}, 
Amplaque  per  tenues  translucent  atria  muros  : 
Excitat  hie  varios  plebs  agglomerata  susurros  ; 
Qualiter  instre])itant  circuni  mulctralia  bombis 
Agniina  muscarum,  aut  texto  per  ovilia  junco, 
Dum  Canis  ffistivum  cceli  petit  ardua  culnien. 
Ipsa  quidem  summa  sedet  ultrix  matris  in  arce, 
Atiribus  inuumeris  cinctum  caput  eminet  olli, 
Quels  sonituiu  exiguum  trabit,  atque  levissima  captat 
Mnnnurn,  ab  extremis  patuli  confinibus  orbis. 
ISTec  tot,  Aristoride  servator  inique  juvencai 
Isidos,  immiti  volvebas  lamina  vultu, 
Lumina  non  unquam  tacito  nutantia  somno, 
Lumina  subjectas  late  spectantia  terras. 
Istis  ilia  solet  loca  luce  carentia  sa3pe 
Perlustrare,  etiam  radianti  inipervia  soli : 
Milienisque  loquax  auditaque  visaque  Unguis 
Cuilibet  effundit  temeraria,  veraque  mendax 
Nunc  minuit,  mode  confictis  sermonibus  auget. 
Sed  taraen  a  nostro  mcruisti  carmine  laudes 
Fama,  bonum  quo  non  aliud  veracius  ullum, 
Nobis  digna  cani,  nee  te  memorasse  pigebit 
Carmine  tarn  longo,  servati  scilicet  Augli 
Officiis  vaga  diva  tuis,  tibi  reddimus  roqua. 
Te  Deus,  asternos  motu  qui  temperat  ignes, 
Fulminc  prasmisso  alloquitur,  terraque  tremente: 
"  Fama,  siles  ?     An  te  latet  impia  Papistarura 
Conjurata  coliors  in  meque  meosque  Britannos, 
Et  nova  sce])trigero  credes  meditata  lacobo  ? 
Nee  plura,  ilia  statim  sensit  mandata  Tonantis, 
Et  satis  ante  fugax  stridentes  induit  alas, 
Induit  et  variis  exilia  corpora  plumis ; 
Dextra  tubam  gestat  Temesa30  ex  sere  souoram. 
Nee  mora,  jam  pennis  cedentes  remigat  auras, 
Atque  parum  est  cursu  celeres  prievertere  niibes, 
,    m  ventos,  jam  solis  equos  jjost  terga  reliquit : 


SYLVARUM    LIBER. 

Et  primo  Angliacas,  solito  de  more,  per  urbes 
Ambiguas  voces,  incertaque  murmura  sjiargit, 
Mox  ai-guta  doles,  et  detestabilc  vulgat 
Froditionis  o])us,  nee  noii  facta  liorrida  dictu, 
Autlioresque  addit  sceleris,  nee  garrula  cjEcis 
Insidiis  loca  structa  silet;  stiipuere  relatis, 
Kt  ]iariter  juvencs,  pariter  tremuere  puella9, 
Eff antique  series  pariter,  tantaeque  ruinoe 
Sensus  ad  retatem  subito  ])enctraverat  omnem. 

Attainen  interea  populi  miserescit  ab  alto 
^thereus  Pater,  et  criulelibus  obstitit  ausis 
Papicolftm ;  capti  pcenas  raptantur  ad  acres  ; 
At  pia  thura  Deo,  et  grati  solvnntur  honores  ; 
Coiiipita  loeta  focis  genialibus  omnia  fumaut-; 
Turba  choros  juvenilis  agit :  Quintoque  Novembris 
Nulla  dies  toto  occurrit  celebratior  anno. 


641 


m  OBITUM  PRiESULTS  ELIENSIS. 
Anno  -35]tatis  17. 

Adiiuc  madentcs  rore  squalebant  gense, 

Et  sicca  nondum  hnnina 
Adhuc  liqucntis  inibre  tnrgebant  sails, 

Quern  nuper  cffudi  plus, 
Duni  moostti  cliaro  justa  persolvi  rogo 

"Wintoniensis  I*r;i'sulis. 
Cum  centilinguis  Fama  (proh  I  semper  mali 

Cladisque  vera  nnntia) 
Spargit  i)er  uvbes  divitis  Britanniae, 

Populosque  Neptuno  satos, 
Cessisse  morti,  et  ferreis  sororibus 

Te,  generis  humani  decus, 
Qui  rex  sacrorum  ilia  fuisti  in  insula 

Qu?e  noinen  x\nguilla3  tenet. 
Tunc  in  quiet  um  ]-)Cctus  ira  protinus 

EbuUiebat  fervida, 
Tuniulis  potentem  stepe  devoveus  deam : 

Nee  vota  Naso  in  Ibida 


542  SYLVAEUM    LIBER. 

Concepit  alto  diriora  pectore, 

Graiiisque  vates  parcius 
Turpem  Lycambis  execratus  est  dolum, 

Sponsamque  Neobulen  suam. 
At  ecce  diras  ipse  dum  fundo  graves, 

Et  iraprecor  neci  necem, 
Audisse  tales  videor  attonitus  sonos 

Leni,  sub  aura,  flamine : 
*'  Cjecos  furores  pone,  jione  vitream 

Bilemque  et  irritas  minas, 
Quid  temere  violas  non  nocenda  numina, 

Subitoque  ad  iras  percita? 
N"on  est,  ut  arbitraris  elusus  miser. 

Mors  atra  Xoctis  filia, 
Erebove  patre  creta,  sive  Erinnye, 

Vastove  nata  sub  Cliao : 
Ast  ilia  coelo  niissa  stellato,  Dei 

Messes  ubique  colligit ; 
Animasque  mole  carnea  reconditas 

In  lucem  et  auras  evocat ; 
TJt  cum  fugaces  excitant  Ilorie  diem 

Thcmidos  Jovisque  filioe  ; 
Et  sempiterni  ducit  ad  vultus  patris ; 

At  justa  raptat  impios 
Sub  regiia  furvi  luctuosa  Tartari, 

Sedesque  subterraneas." 
Hanc  ut  vocantem  laetus  audivi,  cito 

Fcedum  reliqui  carcerem, 
Volatilesque  faustus  inter  milites 

Ad  astra  sublimis  feror : 
Vates  ut  olim  raptus  ad  coelum  senex 

Auriga  currus  ignci. 
Non  me  Bootis  terruere  lucidi 

Sarraca  tarda  frigore,  aut 
Formidolosi  Soorpionis  brachia, 

Non  ensis,  Orion,  tuus. 
Prffitervolavi  fulgidi  solis  globum, 

Longeque  sub  pedibus  deam 
Vidi  (riformem,  dum  coercebat  suos 

Frieuis  dracones  aureis. 


SYLVARUM    LIBER.  543 

Erraticornm  siderum  per  ordines, 

Per  lacteas  vebor  plagas, 
Velocitateni  ssepe  miratus  novam, 

Donee  niteiites  ad  fores 
"Ventum  est  Olympi,  et  regiam  crystallinam,  et 

Stratum  smaragdis  atrium. 
Sed  liic  tacebo,  nam  quis  effari  queat 

Oriundus  humano  patre 
Amcenitates  illius  loci?     Mihi 

Sat  est  in  a'ternum  frui. 


NATURAM  NON  PATI  SENIUM. 

ITeit  quarn  ])erpotuis  erroribus  acta  fatiscit 

Aria  mens  hominum,  tenebrisque  inmiersa  profundis 

CEdipodioniam  volvit  sub  pcctore  noctem  ! 

Quje  vesana  suis  metiri  facta  deorum 

Audet,  et  incisas  leges  adamante  perenni 

Assimilare  suis,  nulloque  solubile  s;ccIo 

Consilium  fati  perituris  alligat  horis. 

Ergone  niarcescet  sulcaiitibus  obsita  rngis 
Naturfe  facies,  et  rerum  publica  mater 
Omniparum  contracta  iiterum  sterilescet  ab  sevo  ? 
Et  se  fassa  senem,  male  certis  passibus  ibit 
Sidereum  tremebunda  caput?     Num  tetra  vetustas 
Annorumque  aeterna  fames,  squalorque  situsque 
Sidera  vexabunt?     An  et  insatiabile  Temjjus 
Esuriet  Coelum,  rapielque  in  viscei-a  patrem  ? 
lieu,  potuitne  suas  imj)rudcns  Juj^iter  arccs 
Hoc  contra  munisse  nefas,  et  Temporis  isto 
Exemisse  male,  gyrosque  dedisse  pereimes? 
Ergo  erit  ut  qiiaiidoque  sono  dilajisa  liuniendo 
Convexi  tabulata  i-uant,  atque  obvitis  iclu 
Stridat  utenjue  i)olus,  su]jeraque  ut  01ym]>ius  aula 
Decidat,  borribilisque  retecta  Gorgone  Pallas; 
Qualis  in  iEgeam  proles  Junonia  Lemnon 
Deturbata  sacro  cecidit  de  limine  cceli? 
Tn  quoque,  PLoebe,  tui  casus  imitabcrc  nati ; 


i 


544  STLVARUM   LIBER. 

Prfficipiti  cuiTU,  subitaque  ferere  ruind 
Pronus,  et  extincta  fumabit  lampade  Nerens, 
Et  dabit  attonito  feralia  sibila  ponto. 
Tunc  etiam  aerei  divulsis  sedibus  Hasmi 
Dissultabit  apex,  imocjiie  allisa  bnrathro 
Terrebunt  Sty^ium  dejecta  Ceraunia  Ditem, 
In  superos  quibus  usus  erat,  fraternaque  bella. 
At  Pater  omnipotens,  fundatis  fortius  astris, 
Consuhiit  rermn  summre,  certoque  ])eregit 
Pondere  fatonim  lances,  atque  ordine  summo 
Singula  perpetiuim  jussit  servare  tenorem. 
Volvitur  liiiic  lapsu  mundi  rota  prima  diurno; 
Raptat  et  ambitos  socia  vertigine  coelos. 
Tardior  baud  solito  Saturnus,  et  acer  ut  oliin. 
Fulmineum  rutilat  cristata  casside  Mavors, 
Floridus  reterntim  Pbcebus  juvenile  coruscat, 
Nee  fovet  effcetas  loca  per  declivia  terras 
Devexo  temone  Deus  ;  sed  semper  arnica 
Luce  potens  eadem  currit  per  signa  rotarum. 
Surgit  odoratis  pariter  formosus  ab  Indis, 
^tliereum  pecus  albenti  qui  cogit  Olympo, 
Mane  vocans,  et  serus  agens  in  pascua  cceli, 
Temporis  et  gemino  dispertit  rcgna  colore. 
Pulget,  obitque  vices  alterno  Delia  cornu, 
Ceeruleumque  ignera  paribus  complectitur  ulnis. 
Nee  variant  elcmenta  fidcni,  solitoque  fragore 
Lurida  perculsas  jaculantur  fulniina  rupes. 
Nee  per  inane  furit  leviori  murmure  Corns, 
Stringit  et  armiferos  fequali  liorrore  Gelonos 
Trux  Aquilo,  spiratque  hyemem,  nimbosque  volutat. 
Utque  solet,  Siculi  diverberat  ima  Pelori 
Rex  maris,  et  rauca  circunistrcpit  a^quora  concha 
Oceani  Tubicen,  nee  vasta  mole  minoreni 
j^Ec'eona  ferunt  dorso  Baleariea  cete, 
Sed  neque,  Terra,  tibi  s£ecli  vigor  ille  vetusti 
Priscus  abest,  servatque  suum  Narcissus  odorem, 
Et  puer  ille  suum  tenet  et  puer  ille  decorem, 
Phoebe,  tunsque,  et,  Cypri,  tuus  ;  nee  ditior  olira 
Terra  datum  sceleri  celavit  montibus  aurum 
Conscia,  vel  sub  aquia  gemmas.     Sic  deniqn.e  in  fevum 


SYLVAEUM    LIBEK.  645 

Ibit  cunctarum  series  justissima  rerum, 
Donee  flamma  orbem  populabitur  ultima,  latd 
Circumplexa  polos,  et  vasti  culmina  cceli ; 
Ingentique  rogo  liagrabit  machina  rauiidi. 


DE    IDEA    PLATOXrCA     QUEMADMODUM    ARISTO- 
TELES  INTELLEXIT. 

DiciTE,  sacrorum  presides  nemorum  dese, 
Tuque,  O  noveiii  perl^eata  numinis 
Memoria  mater,  qureque  in  immense  procul 
Antro  recumbis  otiosa  ^Eternitas, 
Monumeuta  scrvans,  et  ratas  leges  Jo  vis, 
Coelique  fastos  atque  ephemeridas  DeUm, 
Quis  ille  primus  cnjus  ex  imagine 
Natura  solers  finxit  humanum  genus, 
^tcrnus,  incorruptus,  a3qu.'evus  ])olo, 
Unusque  et  universus,  exemplar  Dei  ? 
Plaud  ille  Palladis  gemellus  innubaj 
Interna  proles  insidet  menti  Jovis  ; 
Sed  quamlibet  natura  sit  communior, 
Tamen  seorstis  extat  ad  morera  unius, 
Et,  mira,  certo  stringitur  spatio  loci ; 
Seu  sempiternus  ille  siderum  comes 
Cceli  pererrat  ordines  decemplicis, 
Citimumve  terris  incolit  Iuujb  globum  : 
Sive  inter  animas  corpus  adituras  sedens 
Obliviosas  torpet  ad  Lethes  aquas  ; 
Sive  in  remota  forte  terrarum  ])laga 
Incedit  ingens  liominis  archctypus  gigas, 
Et  diis  tremendiis  erigit  celsuni  caput 
Atlante  major  ]iortitore  siderum. 
Non  cui  profundum  caicitas  hnnen  dedit 
Dircffius  augur  vidit  hunc  alto  sinu  ; 
Non  hunc  silente  nocte  Pleiones  nepoa 
Vatum  sagaci  prsepes  ostendit  olioro  ;" 
Non  hunc  sacerdos  novit  Assvrius,  licet 
Longos  vetusti  comraemoret  atavos  Nini, 
Priscumque  Belon,  inclytumque  Osiridem. 

35 


5-iG  SYLVARUM    LIBER. 

Non  ille  trino  gloriosus  nomine 

Ter  magnus  Hermes  (ut  sit  arcani  sciens) 

Talem  reliquit  Isidis  cultoribus. 

At  tu,  perenne  ruris  Academi  decus 

(Hffic  raonstra  si  tu  primus  induxti  scholis), 

Jam  jam  poetas,  urbis  exules  tuae, 

Revocabis,  ipse  fabulator  maximus, 

Aut  institutor  ipse  migrabis  foras. 


AD  PATREM. 

Nunc  mea  Pierios  cupiam  per  pectora  fontes 
Irriguas  torquere  vias,  totumque  per  ora 
Volvere  laxatum  gemino  de  yertice  rivum ; 
Ut  tenues  oblita  sonos  audacibus  alis 
Surgat  in  officium  venerandi  Musa  parentis. 
Hoc  utcunque,tibi  gratum,  pater  optime,  carmen 
Exiguum  meditatur  opus,  nee  novimus  ipsi 
Aptitis  a  nobis  quae  possint  munera  donis 
Respondere  tuis,  quamvis  nee  maxima  possint 
Respondere  tuis,  nedum  ut  par  gratia  donis 
Esse  queat,  vacuis  quaB  redditur  arida  verbis. 
Sed  tamen  h^ec  nostros  ostendit  pagina  census, 
Et  quod  habemus  opum  charta  numeraviraus  ist^, 
Quae  mihi  sunt  nullae,  nisi  quas  dedit  aurea  Clio, 
Quas  mihi  semoto  somni  peperere  sub  antro, 
Et  nemoris  laureta  sacri  Parnassides  umbrae. 
Nee  tu  vatis  opus  divinum  dcspice  carmen, 
Quo  nihil  cethereos  ortus,  et  semina  coeli. 
Nil  magis  humanam  commendat  origine  mentem, 
Sancta  Prometheas  retinens  vestigia  flammae. 
Carmen  ament  superi,  tremebundaque  Tartara  carmen 
Ima  ciere  valet,  divosque  ligare  profundos, 
Et  triplici  duros  Manes  adamante  coercet. 
Carmine  sej^ositi  retegunt  arcana  futuri 
Phoebades,  et  tremulae  pallentes  ora  Sibyllae  ; 
Carmina  sacrificus  sollennes  pangit  ad  aras, 
Aurea  seu  sternit  motantem  cornua  taurum ; 
Seu  ctim  fata  sagax  fumantibus  abdita  fibris 


STLVARUM    LIBER.  547 

Consulit,  et  tepidis  Pnvcam  scrutatur  in  extis. 
Nos  etiam  patiium  tunc  cum  repetcmus  Olynipum, 
.^ternaique  moia3  stabunt  inunobilis  a3vi, 
Ibinius  auratis  per  coili  tcniplacovonis, 
Dulcia  sunviloquo  sociantes  canuiiia  plectro, 
Astra  quibus,  geminique  jioli  convexa  sonabunt. 
Spiritus  et  rapidos  qui  circinat  igneus  orbcs, 
Nunc  quoque  sidcreis  intcrciiiit  ipse  olioreis 
Immortale  molos,  et  inenarrabile  carmen  ; 
Torrida  dum  rutilus  compescit  sibila  serpens, 
Demissoque ferox  gladio  mansuescit  Orion; 
Stellarum  nee  sentit  onus  Maurusius  Atlas. 
Carmina  regales  epulas  ornare  solebant, 
Cum  nondum  luxus,  vastroque  immensa  vorago 
Nota  gula3,  et  modico  spumabat  coena  Lyaeo. 
Turn  de  more  sedens  festa  ad  convivia  vates, 
^sculejx  intonsos  redimitus  ab  arbore  crines, 
Ilcroumque  actus,  imitandaque  gesta  canebat, 
Et  chaos,  et  positi  late  fundamina  mundi, 
Reptantesque  deos,  et  alentes  numina  glandcs, 
Et  nondum  -ZEtnaao  quaasitum  f  ulmen  ab  antro. 
Denique  quid  vocis  modulamen  inane  juvabit, 
Verborum  sensusque  vacaus,  numerique  loquacis  ? 
Silvestres  decet  iste  clioros,  non  Orphea  cantus, 
Qui  tenuit  fluvios  et  quercubus  addixlit  aures 
Carmine,  non  citliara,  simulacliraque  functa  canendo 
Conipulit  in  lacrymas  ;  habet  Las  a  carmine  laudes. 

Nee  tu  perge,  precor,  sacras  contemnere  Musas, 
Nee  vanas  inopesque  puta,  quarum  ipse  peritus 
Munere,  mille  sonos  numeros  componis  ad  aptos, 
Millibus  et  vocem  modulis  variare  canoram 
Doctus,  Arioniimcrito  sis  nominis  lueres. 
Nunc  tibi  quid  mirum,  si  me  genuisse  poetam 
Contigerit,  charo  si  tam  prope  sanguine  juncti 
Cognatas  artes,  studiumque  afline  sequamur? 
Ipse  volens  Plia3bus  se  dispertire  duobus. 
Altera  dona  milii,  dedit  altera  dona  parenti, 
Dividuumque  Deum  genitorquc  puerque  tenemus. 

Tu  tamen  ut  simules  tcneras  odisse  Camoenas, 
Non  odisse  reor,  neque  enim,  pater,  ire  jubebas 


548  SYLVARUM    LIBJSR. 

Qua  via  lata  palet,  qua  i^ronior  area  lucri, 
Certaque  condendi  fulget  spes  aurea  nummi  : 
Nee  rapis  ad  leges,  male  custoditaque  gentis 
Jura,  nee  insulsis  damnas  clamoribus  aures  : 
Sed  magis  excultam  cupiens  ditescere  inentem, 
Me  procul  urbano  stre[)itu,  secessibus  altis 
Abductuni,  Aonia?  jucunda  per  otia  ripae, 
Pha?bn30  later!  coniitem  sinis  ire  beatiun. 
Officium  cliari  taceo  commune  parentis, 
Me  poscunt  raajora  :  tuo,  pater  optime,  suraptu 
Ctim  mihi  Romuleae  patait  facundia  linguae, 
Et  Latii  veneres,  et  qiue  Jovis  ora  decebant 
Grandia  magniloquis  elata  vocabula  Graiis, 
Addere  suasisti  quos  jactat  Gallia  llores, 
Et  quam  degeneri  novus  Italus  ore  loquelam 
Eundit,  barbaricos  testatus  voce  tumultus, 
Quseqiie  PaliEStinus  loquitur  raysteria  vates. 
Denique  quicquid  habet  coelum,  subjectaque  coeI» 
Terra  parens,  terrteque  et  ccelo  interfluus  aer, 
Quicquid  et  unda  tegit,  pontique  agitabile  niarmor, 
Per  te  nosse  licet,  per  te,  si  nosse  libebit. 
Dimotaque  venit  spectanda  scientia  nube, 
Nudaque  conspicuos  inclinat  ad  oscula  vultus, 
3Sri  fugisse  velim,  ni  sit  libasse  molestum. 

I  nunc,  confer  opes,  quisquis  malesanus  avitaa 
Austi'iaci  gazas,  Perilanaque  regna,  prseoptas. 
QuaB  potuit  majora  pater  tribuisse,  vel  ipse 
Jupiter,  excepto,  donasset  ut  omnia,  cslo  ? 
Non  potiora  dedit,  quamvis  et  tuta  fuissent^ 
Publica  qui  juveni  commisit  luraina  nato 
Atque  Hyperionios  currus,  et  frrena  diei, 
Et  circum  undantem  radiata  luce  tiaram. 
Ergo  ego  jam  doctae  pars  quamlibet  ima  caterv89 
Victrices  hederas  inter,  laurosque  sedebo, 
Jamque  nee  obscurus  populo  miscebor  inerti, 
Vitabuntque  oeulos  vestigia  nostra  profanos. 
Este  procul  vigiles  curie,  procul  este  querelae, 
Invidioeque  acies  transverso  tortilis  hirquo, 
Sajva  nee  anguit'eros  extende  calumnia  rictus ; 
In  me  triste  nihil  faedissima  turba  potestis, 


SYLVARUM    LIBER.  f)4y 

Nec  vestri  sum  juris  ego  ;  securaque  tutus 
Fectora,_vii)ereogradiar  sublimis  al)  ictu. 

At  libi,  chare  pater,  postquam  non  nequa  raerenti 
Posse  refovre  datur,  nec  dona  re])'jndcTe  factis, 
Sit  meinorusse  satis,  repetitaque  munera  grato 
Percensere  animo,  fidwque  reponere  menii. 

Et  vos,  O  nostri,  juvenilia  carmina,  lusus, 
Si  niodo  perpetuos  sperai-e  audebitis  annos, 
Et  domini  superesse  rogo,  lucemque  tueri, 
Nec  spisso  rapient  oblivia  nigra  sub  Oreo, 
Forsitan  lias  laudes,  decantatumque  parentis 
Nomeu,  ad  exeniijlum,  sero  servabitis  oevo. 


AD  SALSILLIIM,  POETA]\I  KOMAXUM,  iEGRO 
TAXTEM. 


S  C  A  Z  O  X  T  E  S. 


O  MtrsA  gressnra  quaj  vol  ens  trahis  claudum 
Vulcan ioque  tarda  gaudes  incessu, 
ISTec  sentis  illud  in  loco  minus  gratum, 
Quiim  ctiin  deceutes  flava  Deio])e  suras 
Alternat  aureum  ante  Junonis  lectum, 
Adesduin  et  hac  s'  is  verba  pauca  Salsillo 
Refer,  Camcena  nostra  cui  tantum  est  cordi, 
Quamque  ille  magnis  prajtulit  inimerito  divis. 
Ilnsc  ergo  alumnus  ille  LondiniMilto, 
Diebus  liisce  (pii  suum  linquens  nidum 
Polique  tractum  (pessimus  ubi  vontonmi, 
Insanientis  impotensque  pulmonis, 
Pernix  anhela  sub  Jove  exercet  flabra), 
Venit  feraces  Itali  soli  ad  glebas, 
Visum  superba  cognitas  urbes  fama 
Virosquo  doctreque  iudolem  juventutis. 
Tibi  optat  idem  liic  fausta  multa  Salsille, 
Ilabitumquo  fesso  corpori  penitiis  sanum; 
Cui  nunc  profunda  bilis  infestat  renes, 
Pra'curdiisque  fixa  damnosum  spirat. 
Kec  id  pepercit  impia  quod  tu  liomano 
Tam  cultus  ore  Lesbiura  condis  melos. 


650  SYLVARUM    LIBER. 

O  dulce  divCim  mimus,  O  Salus,  Hebes 
Germana  !  Tuque  Phoebe  morborum  terror 
Pythone  cseso,  sive  tu  magis  Pa3an 
Libentcr  audis,  liic  tuus  sacerdos  est. 
Querceta  Fauni,  vosque  rore  vinoso 
Colles  benigni,  mitis  Evandri  sedes, 
Siquid  salubre  vallibus  froiidet  vestris, 
Levamen  a3gro  ferte  certatim  vati. 
Sic  ille  charis  redditus  rurstim  Musis 
Vicina  dulci  prata  mulcebit  cantu. 
Ipse  inter  atros  emirabitur  lucos 
Numa,  ubi  beatum  d«git  otium  a3tornum, 
Suam  reclinis  semper -5<]gci-i am  spectans. 
Tumidusque  et  ipse  Tibris,  biiic  delinitus, 
Spei  favebit  annuie  colonorum : 
Nee  in  sepulchris  ibit  obsessum  reges 
Nimitini  sinistro  laxus  irriiens  loro  : 
Sed  frasna  melius  temperabit  undarum, 
Adusque  curvi  salsa  regna  Portumni. 


MANUS. 


Joannes  Baptista  Mansns  Marchio  Villensis,  vir  insrenii  lande,  turn  lit- 
terarum  studio,  nee  non  et  bellica  virtute,  a]ind  Italos  clams  in  priiuia 
est.  Ad  quern  Torquati  Tassi  Dialogus  extat  de  Amicitia  scriptus;  erat 
enimTassi  amicissimus ;  ab  quo  etiam  inter  Campaui:c  principes  cele- 
bratiir,  in  illo  poemate  cui  tituliis  Gerusalemme  Conquistata,  lib.  'M — 

"  Fra  cavalier  magnanimi,  6  cortesi 
Risplende  11  Manso  " — 

is  anthorem  Neapoli  commorautem  summa  benevolentiS  prosecutus  est, 
multaque  ei  detulit  huuianitatis  offlcia.  Ad  huuc  itaque  hospes  ille  au- 
teqnam  ab  ea  urbe  discederet,  ut  ue  ingratum  se  ostenderet,  hoc  carmen 
misit. 

H^c  quoque,  Manse,  tuse  meditantur  carmina  laudi 
Pierides,  tibi,  Manse,  clioi-o  notissime  Pha'bi, 
Quandoquidera  ille  alium  baud  ajquo  est  dignatus  honore, 
Post  Galli  cineres,  et  Mecfenatis  Hetrusci. 
Tu  quoque,  si  nostrae  tantum  valet  aura  Camoenas, 
Victrices  hederas  inter,  laurosque  sedebis. 
Te  pridem  magno  felix  concoi'dia  Tasso 
Junxit,  et  aeternis  inscripsit  nomina  chartis ; 


4 


STLVARUM    LIBER.  551 

Mox  tibi  dnlciloqaum  non  inscia  Musa  Marinum 

Tradidit,  ille  tuuin  dici  se  gaudet  alumnum, 

Dum  canit  Assyi-ios  divdm  prolixus  amoves  ; 

Mollis  ct  Ausonias  stupefecit  carmine  nymphas. 

Ille  itidem  moriens  tibi  soli  debita  vates 

Ossa,  tibi  soli,  supremaque  vota  reli(iuit : 

Nee  maiics  ])ietas  tua  cliara  fefellit  amici, 

Vidimus  arridentein  operoso  ex  sere  poetam. 

Nee  satis  hoc  visum  est  in  utrumque,  et  nee  pia  cessant 

Officia  in  tumulo,  cupis  integros  rapere  Oreo, 

Qua  potes,  atque  avidas  Parcarum  eludere  leges : 

Amborum  genus,  et  varia  sub  forte  peractam 

Describis  vitam,  moresque,  et  dona  Minervae ; 

JEmulus  illius  Mycalen  qui  natus  ad  altam 

Rettulit  ^olii  vitam  facundus  Horaeri. 

Ergo  ego  te,  Cliils  et  magni  nomine  Phoebi, 

Manse  pater,  jubeo  longum  salvere  per  ajvum 

Missus  Hyperboreo  juvenis  peregrinus  ab  axe. 

Nee  tu  longinquam  bonus  aspernabare  Musam, 

QuJB  nuper  gelida  vix  enutrita  sub  Arcto 

Imprudens  Italas  ausa  est  volitare  per  urbes, 

Nos  ctiam  in  nostro  modulantes  flumine  cygnos 

Credimus  obscuras  noctis  sensisse  per  umbras, 

Qua  Thamesis  late  puris  argentcus  urnis 

Oceani  glaucos  perfundit  gurgite  crines  : 

Quin  et  in  has  quondam  pervenit  Tityrus  oras, 

Sed  neque  nos  genus  incultum,  nee  inutile  Phcebo, 
Qua  plaga  septeno  mundi  sulcata  Trione 
Brumalem  patitur  longa  sub  nocte  Booten. 
Nos  etiain  colimus  Phcebum,  nos  munera  Phoebo 
Flaventes  spicas,  et  lutea  mala  canistris, 
Halantemque  crocum  (pcrhibet  nisi  vana  vetustas) 
Misimus,  et  lectas  Druidum  de  gente  choreas. 
(Gens  Druides  antiqua  sacris  operata  deorum 
Heroum  laudes  imitandaque  gesta  canebant) 
Hinc  quoties  festo  cingunt  altaria  cantu, 
Delo  in  herbosa,  Graiai  de  more  puellre, 
Carminibus  laetis  memorant  Corineida  Loxo, 
Fatidicamque  Upin,  cum  flavicoma  Hecaerge, 
Nuda  Caledeuio  variatas  pectora  fuco. 


552  STLVAEtJM  LIBER. 

Fortunate  senex,  ergo,  quaciinque  per  orbem 
Torquati  decus,  et  noraen  celebrabitur  ingens, 
Claraque  perpetui  succrescet  fama  Marini, 
Tu  quoque  in  ora  freqiiens  venies  plausumque  virorunii 
Et  parili  carpes  iter  immortale  volatu. 
Dicetur  turn  sponte  tuos  habitasse  penates 
Cynthiiis,  et  famulas  venisse  ad  limina  Musas; 
At  non  sponte  domum  tamen  idem,  et  regis  adivit 
Rura  Pheretiadte  coelo  fugitivus  Apollo  ; 
Ille  licet  magnum  Alciden  susceperat  hospes  ; 
Tantum  ubi  clamosos  placuit  vitare  bubulcos, 
Nobile  mansueti  cessit  Chironis  in  antrum, 
Irriguos  inter  saltus,  frondosaque  tecta, 
Peneium  prope  rivum  :  ibi  srepe  sub  ilice  nigra, 
Ad  citharae  strepitum,  blanda  prece  victus  araici 
Exilii  duros  lenibat  voce  labores. 
Turn  neque  ripa  suo,  barathro  nee  fixa  sub  imo 
Saxa  stetere  loco,  nutat  Tracliinia  rupes, 
"Nee  sentit  solitas,  immania  pondera,  silvas, 
Emotfeque  suis  properant  de  collibus  orni, 
Mulcenturque  novo  maculosi  carmine  lynces. 

Diis  dilecte  senex,  te  Jupiter  requus  oportet 
Nascentem,  et  miti  lustrarit  lumine  Phoebus, 
Atlantisque  nepos  ;  neque  enim  nisi  charus  ab  ortu 
Diis  superis  poterit  magno  favisse  poetaB. 
Hinc  longfeva  tibi  lento  sub  Hore  senectus 
Vernat,  et  ^sonios  lucratur  vivida  fusos, 
Nondura  deciduos  servans  tibi  frontis  bonores, 
Ingeniumque  vigens,  et  adultum  mentis  acumen. 
O  mihi  si  mea  sors  talem  concodat  amicum, 
Phoebaeos  decorasse  viros  qui  tarn  bene  norit, 
Si  quando  indigenas  revocabo  in  carmina  reges, 
Arturumque  etiani  sub  terris  bella  moventem  ; 
Aut  dicam  invictiB  sociali  foedere  mensre 
Magnanimos  hcroas,  et  (O  modo  sjnritus  adsit !) 
Frangam  Saxonicas  Britonum  sub  Marte  phalangea. 
Tandem  ubi  non  tacita  permensus  tempora  vitae, 
Annorumque  satur,  cineri  sua  jura  relinquam, 
Ille  mihi  lecto  madidis  astaret  ocellis, 
Asian  li  sat  erit  si  dicam  sim  tibi  cur«e; 


t 


SYLVAKUM    LIBER.  563 

Ille  meos  artus,  liventi  morte  solutos, 
Curaret  paiva  cornponi  molliter  urna. 
Forsitan  et  nostros  ducat  de  mariiioi-e  vnltns, 
Necteiis  aut  Paphia  iiiyrti  aut  Parnasside  lauri 
Fronde  comas,  at  ego  secura  pace  quiescam. 
Turn  quoque,  si  qua  fides,  si  ])raeinia  cena  bonorum, 
Ipse  ego  coDlicolum  semotus  in  cTtliera  divfun, 
Quo  labor  et  mens  pura  vehunt,  atque  ignea  \  irtus, 
Secreti  hjec  aliqua  mundi  de  parte  vidcbo 
(Quantum  fata  sinunt)  :  et  tota  mente  serenfira 
Ridens  purpureo  suffundar  lumine  vultus, 
Et  simul  ffithereo  plaudam  mihi  Iretus  Olympo. 


EPITAPHIUM  DAMOXIS. 

AEGUMENTUM. 

Thyrsis  et  Damon  ejusdein  vicinise  pastores,  eadem  stndia  sequuti  I 
pueritia  amici  eraiit,  ut  qui  pltiiimuni.  Tliyrsis  animi  causa  profectus 
peregrb  de  obitu  Damoiiis  uiiiieium  accepit.  Domum  jiostea  leversus, 
et  rem  ita  esse  comperto,  se  snamque  solitudiuem  hoc  canniue  deplorat. 
Damonisautem  sub  persona  hie  intelligitur  Carolus  Deodati's  ex  iirbe 
Hetruriffi  Luca  pateriio  geuere  oriiindus,  ca-tera  Auglus;  iiigeiiio,  doc- 
triua,  clarissimisque  caeteris  virtutibus,  dum  viveret,  juvciiis  egregiiis. 

HniEEiDES  nympliffi  (nam  vos  et  Daplniin  et  Hylan, 
Et  plorata  diu  meniinistis  fata  Bionis) 
Dicite  Sicelicum  Thamesina  per  oppida  carmen  : 
Qnas  miser  offudit  voces,  quae  murmura  Tliyrsis, 
Et  quibus  assiduis  exercuit  antra  quei-elis, 
Fluminaquc,  fontesque  vagos,  nemorumquc  reccssus, 
Dum  sibi  praareptum  queritur  Damona,  ncque  altam 
Luctibus  exemit  noctcm  loca  sola  pererrans. 
Et  jam  bis  viridi  surgebat  culmus  arista, 
Et  totidem  ilavas  numerabant  liorrea  messes, 
Ex  quo  summa  dies  tulerat  Damona  sub  umbras, 
Nee  dum  aderat  Thyrsis  ;  pastorem  scilicet  ilium 
Dulcis  amor  Musaa  Thusca  retinebat  in  \n\>e. 
Ast  ubi  mens  expleta  domum,  pecorisque  relicti 
Cura  vocat,  simul  assueta  seditque  sub  uliiio, 
Tum  vero  amissum  turn  dcnique  scntit  aniicimi, 
C(epit  ctimmensum  sic  exonerarc  dolorom. 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  nou  vaont,  agni. 


554  BYLVARUM   LIBER. 

Hei  mihi !  quse  terris,  qu£e  dicam  numina  coelo, 
Postquam  te  iramiti  rapuerunt  f unere,  Damon ! 
Siccine  nos  linquis,  tua  sic  sine  nomine  virtus 
Ibit,  et  obscuris  numero  sociabitur  umbris? 
At  non  ille,  animas  virga  qui  dividit  aurea, 
Ista  vclit,  dignumque  tiii  te  ducat  in  agraen, 
Ignavumque  procul  pecus  arceat  omne  silentum. 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  non  vacat,  agni. 
Quicquid  erit,  certe,  nisi  me  lupus  ante  videbit, 
Indeplorato  non  comminuere  sejuilchro, 
Constabitque  tuus  tibi  houos,  longumque  vigebit 
Inter  j^astores  :  illi  tibi  vota  secundo 
Solvere  post  Daphniu,  post  Daphnin  dicere  laudes 
Gaudebunt,  dum  rura  Pales,  dum  Faunus  amabit : 
Si  quid  id  est,  priscamque  fideni  coluisse,  piumque, 
Palladiasque  artes,  sociumque  habuisse  canorum. 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  non  vacat,  agni. 
HiBC  tibi  certa  manent,  tibi  erunt  haec  praemia,  Damon, 
At  mihi  quid  tandem  fiet  modo  ?  quis  mihi  fidus 
Haerebit  lateri  comes,  ut  tu  sajpe  soiebas 
Frigoribus  duris,  et  per  loca  foeta  pruinis, 
Aut  rapido  sub  sole,  siti  morientibus  herbis ; 
Sive  opus  in  magnos  fuit  emintis  ii'e  leones, 
Aut  avidos  terrere  lupos  praesepibus  altis, 
Quis  fando  sopire  diem,  cantuque  solebit  ? 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  non  vucat,  agni. 
Pectora  cui  credam?  quis  me  lenire  docebit 
Mordaces  curas,  quis  longam  fallere  noctem 
Dulcibus  alloquiis,  grato  cum  sibilat  igni 
Molle  pyrum,  et  nucibus  strepitat  focus,  et  malus  auster 
Miscet  cuncta  foris,  et  desuper  iutonat  ulmo  ? 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  non  vacat,  agni. 
Aut  sestate,  dies  medio  dum  vortitur  axe, 
Cum  Pan  aasculea  somnum  capit  abditus  umbra, 
Et  repetunt  sub  aquis  sibi  nota  sedilia  nymphce, 
Pastoresque  latent,  stertit  sub  sepe  colonus, 
Quis  mihi  blanditiascjue  tuas,  quis  turn  mihi  risus, 
Cecro])iosque  sales  referet,  cultosque  lepores  ? 

Ite  don\um  impasti,  domino  jam  non  vacat,  agni. 
At  jam  solus  agios,  j.uu  pascua  solas  obcrro. 


SYLVARtJM   LIBER.  556 

Sicubi  ramosae  densantur  vallibus  umbrae, 

Hie  serum  expecto,  supra  ca])ut  imber  et  Eurus 

Triste  sonant,  fractaeque  agitata  crepuscula  sylvse.^ 

Ite  domum  impasti,  doiuino  jam  nou  vacat,  agni. 
Heu,  quam  culta  mihi  prius  arva  procacibus  herbis 
Tnvolvuntur,  et  ipsa  situ  seges  alta  fatiscit ! 
Innuba  neglecto  marcescit  et  uva  recemo, 
Neo  myrteta  juvant ;  ovium  quoque  taedet,  at  illae 
Moerent,  inque  suum  convertuut  ora  magistrum. 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  uon  A'acat,  agni. 
Tityrus  ad  corylos  vocat,  Alphesiboeus  ad  ornos, 
Ad  salices  ^gon,  ad  flumina  pulcher  Amyntas, 
"  Hie  gelidi  fontes,  hie  illita  gramina  musco, 
Hie  Zepliyri,  hie  placidas  interstrepit  arbutus  undas  ; " 
Ista  eanuut  surdo,  fruti(!es  ego  naetus  abibam. 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  non  vacat,  agni. 
Moj)Sus  ad  ha3C,  nam  me  redeuntem  forte  notai-at 
(Et  callebat  avium  linguas,  et  sidera  Mopsus), 
"  Tliyrsi  quid  hoc?"  dixit,  "  qute  te  coquil  iraprobabilis? 
Aut  te  perdit  amor,  aut  te  male  fascinat  astrum, 
Saturni  grave  saepe  fuit  pastoribus  astrum, 
lutimaque  oblique  figit  praecordia  plumbo." 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  non  vacat,  agni. 
Mirantur  nymphae,  et  "  quid  te.  Thyrsi,  futurum  est? 
Quid  tibi  vis  ?"  aiunt,  "  non  haec  solet  esse  juvent83 
Nubila  frons,  oculique  truces,  vultusque  severi. 
Ilia  choros,  lususque  leves,  et  semper  amorem 
Jure  petit,  bis  ille  miser  qui  serus  amavit." 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  non  vacat,  agni. 
Venit  Hyas,  Dryopeque,  et  filia  Baucidis  iEgle, 
Docta  modes,  citharajque  sciens,  sed  perdita  fastu, 
Venit  Idumanii  Chloris  vicina  fluenti ; 
Nil  me  bland  itiae,  nil  me  solantia  verba. 
Nil  me,  si  quid  adest,  movet,  aut  spes  ulla  futuri. 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  non  vacat,  a^ni. 
Hei  mihi,  quam  similes  ludunt  per  prata  juvenei, 
Omnes  unanimi  secum  sibi  lege  sodales ! 
Nee  magis  ])iinc  alio  quisquam  secernit  amicum 
De  grege,  sic  densi  \eiiiunt  ad  jiabula  thoes, 
Inque  vieem  hirsuti  paribus  junguutur  onagri ; 


556  STLVAllUM    LIBER. 

Lex  eaclem  pelagi,  deserto  in  littore  Proteus 
Agmina  phocarum  numerat,  vilisque  volucnim 
Passer  habet  semper  quicum  sit,  et  omnia  circura 
Parra  libens  volitet,  sero  sua  tecta  revisens, 
Quern  si  sors  letho  objecit,  sen  milvus  aclunco 
Fata  tulit  rosero,  sou  stravit  arundine  fossor, 
Protinus  ille  aliura  socio  petit  inde  volatu. 
Nos  durum  genus,  ct  diris  exercita  fatis 
Gens  homines  aliena  animis,  et  pectore  discors, 
Vix  sibi  quisque  parem  de  millibus  invenit  unura, 
Aut  si  sors  dederit  tandem  non  asjjera  votis, 
Ilium  inopina  dies,  qua  non  speraveris  bora, 
Surripit,  ajternum  linquens  in  saecula  damnum. 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  non  yacat,  agni. 
lieu  quis  me  ignotas  traxit  vagus  error  in  oras 
Ire  per  aereas  rupes,  Alpemque  nivosam  ! 
Ecquid  erat  tanti  Romara  vidisse  sepultam 
(Quamvis  ilia  foret,  qualera  dum  viseret  olim, 
Tityrus  ipse  suas  ct  oves  et  rura  reliquit)  ; 
Ut  te  tarn  dulci  possem  caruisse  sodale, 
Possem  tot  maria  alta,  tot  intcrponere  montes, 
Tot  sylvas,  tot  saxa  tibi,  fluviosque  sonantes  I 
Ah  cert6  extremtim  licuisset  tangere  dextram, 
Et  bene  compositos  placide  moricntis  ocellos, 
Et  dixisse,  "  Vale,  iiostri  memor  ibis  ad  astra." 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  non  vacat,  agni. 
Quamquam  etiam  vcstri  nunquam  meminisse  pigebit, 
Pastorcs  Thusci,  Musis  operata  juvcntus, 
Ilic  Charis,  atque  Lepos  ;  et  Thuscus  tu  quoque,  Damon, 
Autiqua  genus  unde  petis  Lucumonis  ab  urbe. 
O  ego  quantus  cram,  gclidi  cum  stratus  ad  Arni 
Murmura,  populeumque  nemus,  qua  mollior  lierba, 
Carpere  nunc  violas,  nunc  summas  carpcre  myrtos, 
Et  potui  Lycidae  certantem  audire  Menalcnn  ! 
Ipse  etiam  tentare  ausus  sum,  nee  puto  multtiin 
Displicui,  nam  sunt  ct  apud  me  munera  vestra 
Fiscella3,  calathique,  et  cerea  vincla  cicuta? : 
Quin  et  nostra  suas  docuerunt  nomina  fagos 
Et  Datis,  ct  Francinus,  crajit  et  vocibus  an.ibo 
Et  studiis  noti,  Lydorum  sanguinis  ambo. 


^ 


SYLVAUUM    LIBER.  557 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  non  vacat,  agni. 
Hsec  mihi  turn  lasto  dictabat  roscida  luna, 
Dum  solus  teneros  claudebam  cratibus  hsedos. 
Ah  quoties  dixi,  cfim  te  cinis  ater  habebat, 
Nunc  canit,  aut  lepori  nmic  tend  it  retia  Damon, 
Viraina  nunc  texit,  varios  sil)i  quod  sit  in  usus ! 
Et  qu£B  turn  facili  s])erabam  mente  futura 
Arripui  vote  levis,  et  pruesentia  finxi : 
"Ileus  bone  numquid  agis?  nisi  te  quid  forte  retardat, 
Imus  ?  et  arguta  paultim  recubamus  in  umbra, 
Aut  ad  aquas  Cobii,  aut  ubi  jugera  Cassibelauni  ? 
Tu  mihi  percurres  medicos,  tua  gramina,  succos, 
Hellebortimque,  humilesque,  crocos,  foliiimque,  liyacinthi, 
Quasque  babet  ista  pains  herbas,  artesque  medentdm." 
Ah  pereant  herba3,  pereant  artesque  medentum, 
Gramina,  postquam  ipsi  nil  profecere  magistro. 
Ipse  etiara,  nam  nescio  quid  mihi  grande  sonabat 
Fistula,  ab  undecima  jam  lux  est  altera  nocte, 
Et  turn  forte  novis  admoram  iabra  cicutis, 
Dissiluere  tamen  rujjta  compage,  nee  ultra 
Ferre  graves  potuere  sonos ;  dubito  quoque  ne  sim 
Turgidulus,  tamen  et  referam ;  vos  cedite,  sylvan. 

Ite  donmm  impasti,  domino  jam  non  vacat,  agni. 
Ipse  ego  Dardanias  Rutupina  per  aequora  puppes 
Dicam,  et  Pandrasidos  regnum  vetus  Inogenia^, 
BrennAmque  Arvigarlimque  duces,  priscdmquc  Belimum, 
Et  tandem  Armoricos  Britonum  sub  lege  colonos ; 
Turn  gravidam  Arturo  fatali  fraude  logernen, 
Mendaces  vultus,  assumptaque  Gorlois  arma, 
Merlin i  dolus.     O  mihi  turn  si  vita  supersit, 
Tu  procul  annosa  pendebis  iSstula  pinu 
Multdm  oblita  mihi,  aut  patriis  mutata  Camcenis 
Brittonicum  strides,  quid  enim?  omnia  non  licet  uni ; 
Non  sperasse  uni  licet  omnia ;  mi  satis  ampla, 
Merces,  et  mihi  grande  decus  (sim  ignotus  in  revum 
Tum  licet,  externo  penitusque  inglorius  orbi) 
Si  me  flava  comas  legat  ITsa,  et  potor  Alauni, 
Vorticibusque  frequens  Abra,  et  nemus  omne  Treantfe, 
Et  Thamesis  mens  ante  omncs,  et  fusca  metallis 
Tamara,  et  extremis  me  discant  Orcades  undis. 


558  STLVARUIM   LTBER. 

Ite  domum  impasti,  domino  jam  non  vacat,  agni 
Haec  tibi  servabam  lenta  sub  cortice  lauri, 
Hgec,  et  plura  simul,  turn  quae  raihi  pocula  Mansus, 
Mansus  Chalcidicae  non  ultima  gloria  ripse, 
Bina  dedit,  mirum  artis  opus,  mirandus  et  ipse, 
Et  circum  gemino  caelaverat  argumeiito : 
In  medio  rubri  maris  unda,  et  odoriferura  ver, 
Littora  longa  Arabum,  et  sudantes  balsama  sylvae, 
Has  inter  Phoenix  divina  avis,  unica  terris, 
Caeruletim  fulgens  diversicoioribus  alis 
Auroram  A'itreis  surgentem  respicit  undis. 
Parte  alia  polus  omnipatens,  et  magnus  Olympus, 
Quis  putet  ?  hie  quoque  Amor,  pictaeque  in  nube  pharetras, 
Arma  corusca  faces,  et  spicula  tincta  pyropo  ; 
Nee  tenues  animas,  pect^sque  ignobile  vulgi 
Hinc  ferit,  at  circtim  flaramantia  lumina  torquens 
Semper  in  erectum  spargit  sua  tela  per  orbes 
Impiger,  et  pronos  nunquam  collimat  ad  ictus, 
Hinc  mentes  ardere  sacrfe,  formasque  deorum. 

Tu  quoque  in  his,  nee  me  fallit  spec  lubrica,  Damon, 
Tu  quoque  in  his  certe  es,  nam  quo  tua  dnlcis  abiret 
Sanctaque  simplicitas,  nam  quo  tua  Candida  virtus? 
Nee  te  Lethseo  fas  qusesivisse  sub  orco. 
Nee  tibi  conveniunt  lacrymae,  nee  flebimus  ultra, 
Ite  procul  lacrymfe,  purura  colit  aethera  Damon, 
^thera  purus  habet,  pluvium  pede  reppnlit  arcum  j 
Herotimque  animas  inter,  divosque  perennes, 
-^thereos  haiirit  latices,  et  gaudia  potat 
Ore  sacro.     Quin  tu  cceli  post  jura  recepta 
Dexter  ades,  placidfisque  fave  quicunque  vocaris, 
Seu  tu  noster  eris  Damon,  sive  aequior  audis 
Diodotus,  quo  te  divino  nomine  cuncti 
Coelicolfe  norint,  sylvisque  vocabere  Damon, 
Quod  tibi  purpureus  pudor,  et  sine  labe  juventus 
Grata  fuit,  quod  nulla  tori  libata  voluptas, 
En  etiam  tibi  virginei  servantur  honores ; 
Ipse  caput  nitidum  cinctns  rutilante  corona, 
Laetaque  frondentis  gestans  urabracula  palmae 
Sternum  perages  immortales  hymenaeos ; 
Cantus  ubi,  choreisque  furit  lyra  mista  beatis, 
Festa  Sionaeo  bacobantur  et  Orgia  tbyrso. 


T 


bylvaeum  libke.  559 

January  23,  1646. 

AD  JOANNEM  ROUSIUM   OXONIENSIS    ACADEMIJi 
BIBLIOTHECARIUM. 

De  libro  Poematum  amlsso,  queni  ille  sibi  denuo  mitti  poBtulabat, 
at  cum  aliis  uostris  iu  Bibliotheca  publica  reponeret,  ode. 

Stkophe  I. 

Gemelle  cultu  siraplici  gaudens  liber, 

Fronde  licet  gemina, 

Munditieque  niteus  non  operosa, 

Quam  manus  attulit 

Juvenilis  olim, 

Sedula  tamen  baud  nimii  poetae ; 

Dum  vagus  Ausonias  nunc  per  umbras, 

Nunc  Britannica  per  vireta  lusit 

Insons  populi,  barbitoque  devius 

Indulsit  patrio,  nlox  itidem  pectine  Daunio 

Longinquum  intonuit  nielos 

Vicinis,  et  humum  vix  tetigit  j^ede ; 

Antistrophe. 

Quia  te  parve  liber,  quis  te  fratribus 

Subduxit  reliquis  dolo  ? 

Cum  tu  missus  ab  urbe, 

Docto  jugiter  obsecrante  amico, 

Illustre  tendebas  iter 

Thamesis  ad  incunabula 

Caerulei  patris, 

Fontes  ubi  limpidi 

Aonidum,  tbyasusque  sacer 

Orbi  notus  per  immensos 

Temporura  lapsus  redeunte  ccelo, 

Celeberque  futurus  in  sevum? 

Strophe  II. 

Modd  quis  deus,  aut  editus  deo 
Pristinam  gentis  miseratus  iudolem 
(Si  satis  noxas  luimus  prioree, 


660  STL  VARUM  LIBEB. 

Mollique  luxu  degener  otium), 

Tollat  nefandos  civium  tumultus, 

Almaque  revocet  studia  sanctus, 

Et  relegatas  sine  sede  Miisas 

Jam  pen5  totis  finibus  Angligenlim; 

Immundasque  volucres 

Unguibus  imminentes 

Figat  Apollinea  pharetra, 

Phineamque  abigat  pestem  procul  amne  Pegas^o  ? 

Antisteophe. 

Quin  tu,  libelle,  nuntii  licet  malS 

Fide,  vel  oscitantia, 

Semel  erraveris  agmine  fratrum, 

Seu  quis  te  teneat  specus, 

Seu  qua  te  latebra,  forsan  imde  vili 

Callo  tereris  institoris  insuisi, 

Laetare  felix,  en  iterum  tibi 

Spes  nova  fulget  posse  profundam 

Fugere  Lethen,  vehique  superara 

In  Jo  vis  aialam  vemige  pemia; 

Strophe  III. 

Kam  te  Roiisius  sui 

Optat  peculi,  nuraeroque  justo 

Sibi  pt)llicitum  queritur  abesse, 

Rogatque  venias  ille  cujiis  inclyta 

Sunt  data  virftm  monumenta  curse : 

Teque  adytis  etiam  sacris 

Voluit  reponi,  quibus  et  ipse  prjesidet 

-^ternorum  operuni  custos  fidelis; 

Quaestorque  gazae  nobilioris, 

Quain  cui  praafuit  Ion, 

Clarus  Erechtbeides, 

Opulenta  dei  per  templa  parentis, 

Fulvosque  tripodas,  donaque  Delphica, 

Ion  Actaea  genitus  Creusa, 


STLVARUM   LIBER.  561 

AnTI8TR0PHB» 

Ergo  tu  visere  lucos 

Musarum  ibis  amosnos, 

Diamque  Phcebi  rursus  ibis  in  domum, 

Oxonia  quani  valle  colit, 

Delo  posthabitu, 

Bifidoque  Parnassi  jugo : 

Ibis  lionestus, 

Postquam  egregiam  tu  quoquo  sortem 

Nactus  abis,  dextri  pi-ece  sollicitatus  amioi. 

Illic  legoris  inter  alta  nomina 

Authorum,  GraiaB  simul  et  Latina? 

Antiqua  gentis  lumina,  et  verum  decus. 

Epodos. 

Vos  tandem  baud  vacui  mei  labores, 

Quicquid  hoc  sterile  fiidit  ingeniura, 

Jam  ser6  placidam  sperare  jubeo 

Perfunctam  invidid  requiem,  sedesque  beatas, 

Quas  bonus  Hermes 

Et  tutela  dabit  solers  Rotlsi,  [long6 

Quo  neque  lingua  procax  vulgi  penetrabit,  atque 

Turba  legentura  prava  facesset; 

At  ultimi  nepotes, 

Et  cordatior  setas, 

Judicia  rebus  s3quiora  forsitan 

Adhibebit  integro  sinu. 

Tum,  livore  sepulto, 

Si  quid  meremur  sana  posteritas  sciet, 

Roiisio  favente. 


Ode  tribus  constat  Strophis,  totid6mque  Antlstrophis,  uuJ  demuni 
Epodo  clausis,  qiias,  tametsi  omnes  nee  versuiun  numero,  nee  certis 
nbicj^ue  colis  exacts  rcspoudeant,  ita  tamen  secuimus,  commode  legendl 
potius,  quam  ad  antiques  concinendi  modos,  rationem  spectantes. 
Alioquiu  hoc  genus  rectius  fortasse  dici  monostrophicum  debuerat. 
Metra  partim  sunt  Kara  a-xea-iv,  partim  anoKeKvuiva.  Phaleucia  quae  sun^ 
spoudiBum  tertio  loco  bis  admittuut,  quod  idem  in  secundo  loco  CatuJluj 
ad  libitum  fecit 

3(5 


562  8YLVARUM   LIBBE. 

AD    CHRISTINAM    SUECORUM    REGINAM    NOMINE 

CROMWELLI. 

Bellipotens  virgo,  septem  regina  trionum, 

Christina,  Arctoi  lucida  Stella  poll ! 
Cernis  quas  merui  dura  sub  casside  rugas, 

Utque  senex  armis  impiger  ora  tero  ; 
Invia  fatorum  dum  per  vestigia  nitor, 

Exequor  et  populi  fortia  jussa  manu. 
Ast  tibi  submittit  frontem  reverentior  umbra ; 

Kec  sunt  hi  vultus  regibus  usque  truces. 


TBS  END. 


I 


^ 


UC  SOUTHtRN  RtGIONAL  1 IBRARY  f  AGILITY 

MM    !l 


L-  .  (Lt 


AA    000  598  835    7 


3  1210  00384  0830 


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